Nottingham Forest Player’s Condition Takes a Serious Turn
Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi is in a medically induced coma after undergoing emergency abdominal surgery, according to reports from the PA news agency. The Nigerian international was seriously injured during Forest’s 2-2 draw with Leicester City over the weekend, and while his condition isn’t life-threatening, doctors decided to induce the coma to help control his movement and stabilize his heart rate during recovery.
The Injury and What Happened
Awoniyi got hurt late in the match when he collided with the goalpost. He was treated on the field for several minutes but was eventually allowed to return to play. However, it turns out the injury was more serious than first thought. After an assessment on Monday, the club’s medical team rushed him to the hospital for surgery that same night. Thankfully, on Tuesday, Forest released an update saying he was “recovering well.”
Owner Steps In With Strong Emotions
The incident sparked a lot of reactions—especially from Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who was visibly emotional after the match. He was seen confronting head coach Nuno Espirito Santo on the pitch, apparently upset that Awoniyi was allowed to keep playing despite being in pain. There were rumors of a heated argument, but the club has strongly denied that.
Club Defends Marinakis’ Actions
In a lengthy statement, Forest defended their owner’s actions, saying Marinakis reacted the way any family member would. “To him, this isn’t just a football club—it’s family,” the club said. They emphasized that Marinakis acted out of care and concern when he saw one of his players in obvious pain. “It was instinctive, human, and a reflection of just how much this team and its people mean to him,” they explained.
Shutting Down the Critics
After the game, some critics, including former players and pundits, called Marinakis out. Gary Neville even said Nuno should consider quitting. But Forest hit back hard, saying there was no confrontation and that critics were spreading “fake news” without knowing the full story. They urged people to focus on player safety instead of chasing online clout, and asked for more empathy toward Awoniyi’s situation.
In Summary
Taiwo Awoniyi is currently recovering after a scary injury that required surgery. Forest and their owner are fully behind him, and they’re asking the football world to pause the judgment and put player welfare first.
