Awoniyi Wakes from Coma After Abdominal Surgery
Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has regained consciousness following a medically induced coma, which was part of his recovery from a serious abdominal injury sustained during a Premier League clash against Leicester City. As Awoniyi wakes from coma news filtered through, Forest fans were relieved but angry that VAR rules could be to blame.
Collision Leads to Hospitalization
The incident occurred late in the match as Awoniyi collided forcefully with a goalpost while attempting to connect with a cross. Initially, he received on-pitch medical attention and appeared to suggest he could continue playing. However, his condition deteriorated, prompting urgent hospital treatment on Monday.
Medical scans later revealed that the Nigerian forward had suffered a ruptured intestine—a rare but dangerous internal injury.
Emergency Surgery and Induced Coma
Doctors performed the first stage of emergency surgery on Monday to stabilize the damage. As part of the post-operative care, Awoniyi was placed into an induced coma on Tuesday, allowing his body to recover while medical staff monitored internal healing and signs of complications.
On Wednesday, a second operation was conducted to close the surgical site, after which he was gradually brought out of the coma. He regained consciousness later that evening and is now in stable condition.
Club Launches Internal Investigation
The incident has sparked internal discussions at Nottingham Forest, with the club announcing plans to investigate how the injury was handled during the match. Despite showing visible discomfort, Awoniyi was allowed to stay on the pitch—partly due to Forest having exhausted all available substitutions.
Club owner Evangelos Marinakis reportedly entered the pitch post-match to speak directly with head coach Nuno Espírito Santo, expressing concern about the medical decisions made during the game.
Medical Experts Warn of Injury Severity
Medical professionals have weighed in on the seriousness of Awoniyi’s condition. Professor Gillian Tierney, a consultant colorectal surgeon, explained that intestinal ruptures are potentially fatal, especially if not quickly identified.
“This type of trauma is extremely serious and can easily be missed in a high-adrenaline scenario like a football match,” Tierney told BBC Sport. “If not treated promptly, it can lead to infection or sepsis, which are life-threatening complications.”
Consultant surgeon Harpaul Flora added that such injuries are rare and difficult to diagnose without advanced imaging like a CT scan, which may not be available immediately at pitchside.
VAR Offside Protocol Under Scrutiny
Awoniyi’s injury has reignited debate over the Premier League’s offside flagging policy under VAR rules. The forward was chasing a ball played in from winger Anthony Elanga—who was later shown to be clearly offside. However, per VAR protocol, the assistant referee delayed raising the flag to let the phase of play conclude.
Former referee Keith Hackett and ex-England international Fara Williams criticized the rule, saying it exposes players to unnecessary risk.
“When the offside is obvious, there’s no reason to delay,” Williams said. “This injury could have been avoided. It’s time for IFAB and the Premier League to revisit this protocol for player safety.”
A Wake-Up Call for Football Safety
Awoniyi’s case has become a stark reminder of the physical dangers players face and the importance of immediate and accurate medical intervention. As Forest begin their internal review, questions remain over whether this injury could have been mitigated—or prevented entirely—with different decisions.