Taiwo Awoniyi was placed in a coma after emergency surgery following a goalpost collision.
What seemed like a regular football match between Nottingham Forest and Leicester City took a terrifying turn when striker Taiwo Awoniyi collided with the goalpost in the dying moments of the game. Though he looked hurt, Awoniyi continued playing briefly before being rushed for emergency medical attention. He underwent two critical surgeries to repair a ruptured intestine, and doctors had to place him in a medically induced coma.
Forest Admit Mistakes in Player Handling
In the hours following the incident, Forest confirmed the seriousness of Awoniyi’s condition and acknowledged internal failures in their handling of the situation. In an official statement, the club admitted the striker should not have continued playing and promised an internal investigation into how the decision was made. The matter has shaken the club, with concerns raised about medical procedures and in-game decisions.
Manager Stuck With No Substitutions
Reports suggest that Awoniyi initially gave a thumbs-up to medical staff, insisting he could play on. However, his condition worsened almost immediately. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo had no substitutions left, leaving Awoniyi to stay on the pitch—a move that now looks dangerously misjudged. Owner Evangelos Marinakis was visibly upset after the game, although the club denied claims of a confrontation with staff.
Experts Warn: Injury Could Have Been Deadly
Medical professionals have called the injury highly unusual but incredibly serious. Professor Gillian Tierney stated that ruptured intestines are difficult to detect in athletes, as adrenaline can hide symptoms. Vascular expert Mr Harpaul Flora warned that delays in treatment could have resulted in sepsis—a potentially fatal condition. Both praised the speed of surgical intervention, suggesting Awoniyi’s fitness played a big role in saving his life.
VAR Rule Questioned After Incident
The injury has stirred more criticism of the VAR offside delay policy. Under current rules, assistant referees hold off raising the flag during goal-scoring opportunities—even when offside is obvious. In this case, Elanga’s pass was clearly offside, yet play was allowed to continue, leading to Awoniyi’s collision.
Pundits Call for Rule Review
Former referee Keith Hackett described the offside delay as a “necessary evil” but acknowledged the danger it brings. Fara Williams, a former England international, did not hold back:
“This was bound to happen. Awoniyi’s injury proves why the rule must change. If it’s offside, flag it. Players are risking their careers.”
Her comments reflect a growing call across the football world for the rule to be reconsidered before more players are harmed.
Recovery Will Take Time, Rule Review Likely
While there’s no official timeline for Awoniyi’s return, doctors say the road to recovery from such a surgery is long and filled with potential complications. Nottingham Forest have vowed to make major changes to how injuries are handled in future matches. Meanwhile, football authorities are now under pressure to act fast and reassess a rule that many now see as more harmful than helpful.
