Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has been placed in an induced coma following the first phase of surgery for a serious abdominal injury sustained during Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Leicester City at the City Ground.
The 27-year-old Nigeria international collided heavily with the post in the 88th minute while trying to connect with a cross from Anthony Elanga.
He underwent emergency surgery on Monday night, and the second part of the procedure is scheduled for Wednesday.
In a statement on Tuesday, Forest confirmed Awoniyi is “recovering well” in hospital.
Awoniyi, who had come on as a late substitute for Ibrahim Sangare, received extensive on-field treatment after the incident.
Although Elanga was offside when he delivered the ball, the assistant referee did not raise the flag until after the collision, in line with current officiating guidance.
Officials are instructed to delay flags in situations where a goal-scoring opportunity is likely, to allow for potential VAR reviews — a rule that has drawn criticism for endangering player safety.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, visibly concerned, went onto the pitch after the final whistle to speak with manager Nuno Espirito Santo about the severity of the injury and is receiving ongoing updates on Awoniyi’s condition.
The club said the incident was “a powerful reminder of the physical risks in the game and why a player’s health and wellbeing must always come first.”
