According to English media reports, Taiwo Awoniyi was placed in an induced coma on Tuesday. The striker, formerly of Union Berlin, collided with the post while playing for Nottingham Forest and suffered a serious abdominal injury.
Nottingham Forest center forward Taiwo Awoniyi has been placed in an induced coma after colliding with a post. This has been reported by several English media outlets. On Monday, it was announced that the Nigerian had undergone emergency surgery. However, according to The Guardian, the former Union Berlin striker’s condition is not life-threatening. The artificial coma is intended to help restrict movement and regulate his heart rate.
Offside in the build-up to the accident
It was the final stages of Nottingham’s crucial Champions League match against Leicester City (2-2) when Anthony Elanga, starting from a clear offside position, ran onto a deep pass. The assistant referee’s flag initially remained down to keep the option of VAR intervention open and only went up afterwards – but by then it was already too late.
Elanga marched into the penalty area from the right and played a slightly too steep cross for Awoniyi. The former Union Berlin striker, who had only come on as a substitute in the 83rd minute, rushed in at full speed, failed to connect properly with the ball and crashed into the post at high speed. After a lengthy treatment break, the 27-year-old even continued playing.
“Misjudgment by the medical staff”
This in turn infuriated owner Evangelos Marinakis to such an extent that he stormed onto the pitch after the game and gave Nuno Espirito Santo a dressing down. The Greek issued a statement saying: “We are all – the coaching staff, the players, the fans and myself – frustrated by Taiwo’s injury and the medical staff’s misjudgment in allowing him to continue playing.” After all, the Nigerian was clearly in pain in the final stages of the game. However, there was no dispute between the coach and the owner.
On Tuesday evening, Nottingham Forest provided an update on Awoniyi, stating that the striker was “recovering well” after his emergency surgery.