Nigerian international and Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has regained consciousness after being placed in an induced coma following emergency surgery for a ruptured intestine an injury described by doctors as potentially life-threatening.
The 26-year-old suffered the injury in dramatic fashion during Forest’s 2-2 draw against Leicester City on Sunday, when he collided with the goalpost while trying to connect with a cross from teammate Anthony Elanga, a play later ruled offside in the buildup.
According to medical experts, the injury a ruptured intestine can be difficult to detect immediately and carries a 9% mortality rate. Awoniyi underwent the first phase of surgery on Monday, followed by a second procedure on Wednesday to close the wound. He was brought out of a medically induced coma later that evening.
Consultant colorectal surgeon Professor Gillian Tierney, speaking to BBC Sport, emphasized the severity of the situation: “It is potentially life-threatening. Fluid leaking from the intestine would not be easy to diagnose straight away… If an athlete was really fit, they would stand a good chance of being OK.”
Mr. Harpaul Flora, a consultant vascular and general surgeon at The London Clinic, also highlighted the dangers of such injuries. “It can lead to sepsis if untreated — a life-threatening consequence,” he said.
In a statement released Tuesday, Nottingham Forest confirmed the surgeries and expressed dissatisfaction over the handling of the incident. Awoniyi, though visibly in pain, remained on the pitch after receiving initial treatment, as head coach Nuno Espirito Santo had already used all available substitutions.
Club owner Evangelos Marinakis was seen confronting coaching staff post-match, and the club has since launched an internal investigation into why Awoniyi was not immediately withdrawn.
The incident has reignited controversy over the current offside law enforcement under VAR. Critics, including former referee Keith Hackett and ex-England star Fara Williams, pointed fingers at the delayed offside flag protocol, calling it a dangerous rule.
“This has been a time bomb waiting to go off in terms of someone getting seriously injured,” Williams said. “When an offside is so clear and obvious, the assistant referee should raise the flag. This is a rule that nobody likes and needs urgent review.”
