Nottingham Forest Star in Induced Coma After Horror Injury

Football fans have begun to send prayers and well wishes after reports emerged that Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi is currently in an induced coma following emergency surgery on Monday.

The 27-year-old Nottingham Forest forward suffered a serious abdominal injury during Sunday’s dramatic 2-2 draw against Leicester City.

According to reports, Awoniyi sustained the injury in the 88th minute while attempting to connect with a cross from teammate Anthony Elanga. In the process, he collided forcefully with the goalpost and remained on the ground receiving treatment for several minutes.

Despite the visible discomfort, Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo opted to keep Awoniyi on the pitch, reportedly due to the lack of remaining substitutions. Midfielder Anderson was instead taken off during the final minutes.

Awoniyi, though limping and clearly in pain, signaled he could continue. However, his condition worsened after the match, leading to urgent medical attention.

Nottingham Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, stormed onto the pitch at full-time, confronting Nuno over his decision to keep Awoniyi on despite his injury.

The incident sparked mixed reactions online, some fans criticized Marinakis for publicly questioning the coach, saying it should have been handled privately in the dressing room, while others praised him for showing genuine concern for player welfare.

Nottingham Forest also released a statement to clarify that Evangelos Marinakis confronted Nuno Espírito Santo after the game because of Taiwo Awoniyi’s situation. they explained that his actions were driven by the deep care and passion he has for the club.

Official Statement from the club:

To Evangelos Marinakis, this isn’t just a football club it’s family and he instils that message in all of us,” the statement continued.

“That is why he was so personally and emotionally invested in the situation that unfolded at the City Ground on Sunday. His reaction was one of deep care, responsibility, and emotional investment in one of our own.”

“He didn’t just see it as an isolated incident, but as something that reflected the values and unity of the entire team.

“In moments like that he demonstrates his leadership, not just through words, but through action and presence.”

“In the final ten minutes of the game, when he saw our player clearly in discomfort, struggling through visible pain, it became increasingly difficult for him to stay on the sidelines.”

“His deep frustration at seeing our player lying on the ground in severe pain, something no one with genuine care could ignore triggered him to go onto the pitch”

“It was instinctive, human, and a reflection of just how much this team and its people mean to him. He would do the same again if such an unfortunate event were ever to reoccure”

The truth of the matter is there was no confrontation, with Nuno or with others, either on the pitch or inside the stadium. There was only shared frustration between all of us that the medical team should never have allowed the player to continue.

“In light of this, we urge former coaches and players, and other public figures in the game, to resist the urge to rush to judgement and fake news online, especially when they do not have the full facts and context.

“Baseless and ill-informed outrage for the purposes of personal social media traction serves no one least of all the injured player. We call on these influential voices to show the same respect for player welfare that they often demand from others. Let concern come before commentary.”

“At Nottingham Forest, we believe the mental and physical well-being of our players and coaching staff must always take precedence over media narratives, inflammatory judgements, and certainly over self-promotion”

In moments like these, the game must unite around those who put their bodies and minds on the line every week. That’s what real leadership looks like in our game.”

The club has also released a statement confirming Awoniyi underwent surgery, and sources close to MailSports revealed he was placed in an induced coma to stabilize his condition and reduce movement that could worsen the internal damage.

Doctors said the injury could have had fatal consequences in some cases, but they are optimistic about Awoniyi’s recovery.