Taiwo Awoniyi Wakes from Induced Coma
Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi is now awake and recovering after being placed in an induced coma following emergency abdominal surgery.
The 27-year-old Nigerian suffered the injury after colliding with the goalpost during Forest’s 2-2 draw with Leicester City on Sunday. Despite the crash, Awoniyi continued playing for a short time before being substituted, although all available subs had already been used.
He was taken to hospital on Monday and had a complicated but successful operation on Wednesday, which doctors say may have saved his life. He is now conscious and surrounded by his family as he continues to recover.
In a statement, Nottingham Forest said: “The seriousness of Taiwo Awoniyi’s injury is a strong reminder of the physical dangers in football, and why a player’s health and well-being must always be the top priority.”
Awoniyi’s injury happened while he chased a cross from teammate Anthony Elanga, who was in an offside position. The incident has sparked renewed debate over IFAB’s rule which asks officials to delay raising the offside flag in potential goal-scoring moments — a rule some feel puts players at unnecessary risk.
