NafisaNottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has been placed into an “induced coma” while he recuperates from surgery on a “serious” abdominal injury sustained during Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Leicester City, according to multiple reports.
Awoniyi crashed heavily into the post during the final moments of the Premier League encounter at the City Ground. After being cleared by the club’s medical team following on-field treatment, Forest’s attacker briefly rejoined the action before he was forced to come off again.
Forest issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon stating that Awoniyi was “recovering well” after undergoing “urgent surgery on a serious abdominal injury”.
“The seriousness of Taiwo Awoniyi’s injury is a powerful reminder of the physical risks in the game and why a player’s health and well-being must always come first,” the statement read.
Following the initial procedure on Monday night, Awoniyi was put into an induced coma ahead of a second operation scheduled for Wednesday, as first reported by the Daily Mail.
The BBC was among several outlets that echoed these reports, with PA News stating that Awoniyi is not in a life-threatening condition. The induced coma – a form of medical sedation – is believed to “help restrict his movement and regulate his heart rate”.
These concerning developments have eclipsed the earlier focus that followed Sunday’s fixture.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis faced widespread criticism for stepping onto the pitch after the final whistle and confronting manager Nuno Espirito Santo following two dropped points against relegated opposition.
Both sides attempted to play down the intensity of the public disagreement, which Marinakis later described as a “natural” response to his frustration over the miscommunication regarding the seriousness of Awoniyi’s injury.
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