Injury and Surgery
Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi, 27, was placed in an induced coma to aid recovery after undergoing urgent abdominal surgery on May 12, 2025, following a serious injury sustained during a 2-2 Premier League draw against Leicester City, according to The Guardian. The Nigerian international collided with a goalpost in the 88th minute while attempting to score, initially receiving several minutes of treatment before continuing briefly. Awoniyi, who could not be substituted due to Forest’s exhausted substitutions, was later rushed to hospital when the injury’s severity, reported as a ruptured intestine, became apparent. The coma, intended to restrict movement and regulate heart rate, is not life-threatening, with a second surgery scheduled for May 14. On X, @NFFC expressed support, while @WeArePLeague noted early positive signs.
Club and Fan Response
Forest issued a statement on May 13, confirming Awoniyi is “recovering well” and emphasizing player safety as a priority. The injury sparked controversy, with owner Evangelos Marinakis confronting manager Nuno Espírito Santo post-match for not substituting Awoniyi, a decision defended as a miscommunication with medical staff. Fans on X, including @wetalksound, wished Awoniyi a speedy recovery, while @dantracey1983 criticized VAR rules for not halting play. Awoniyi, with one goal in three starts this season, is vital to Forest’s Champions League push, sitting sixth with 28 points. His absence for upcoming matches against West Ham and Chelsea is a blow, per ESPN. The club’s statement underscored the “physical risks” in football, with @TimesSport amplifying calls for improved safety protocols.
