Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi is now out of the induced coma that he was placed in over the weekend after the ex-Liverpool ace picked up a horror injury against Leicester City in the Premier League.
Awoniyi collided with the post at the City Ground and needed emergency surgery on a serious abdominal injury that could have been life-threatening. The procedure has now been completed as planned.
Awoniyi, who was at Union Berlin before returning to the Premier League, crashed into a post during Sunday’s 2-2 draw. After several minutes of treatment, he returned to action before then being taken off.
The Nigerian was rushed to hospital after the extent of the injury was confirmed on Monday. But the Daily Mail now reports that he is back awake again and recovering with his family.
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was widely criticized for going on the pitch at the final whistle to confront Nuno Espirito Santo. But a club statement claimed he was simply concerned for Awoniyi’s well-being.
“The seriousness of Taiwo Awoniyi’s injury is a powerful reminder of the physical risks in the game and why a player’s health and well-being must always come first,” it read.
“This principle is not just policy for us, it is the deeply held belief and conviction of our owner. To Evangelos Marinakis, this isn’t just a club, it’s family, and he instills that message in all of us.
“That is why he was so personally and emotionally invested in the situation. His reaction was one of deep care, responsibility and emotional investment in one of our own.
“He didn’t just see it as an isolated incident, but something that reflected the values and unity of the entire team. In moments like that he demonstrates his leadership, not just through words, but through action and presence.
Learn more
“When he saw our player clearly in discomfort it became increasingly difficult for him to stay on the sidelines. It was instinctive, human, and a reflection of just how much this team and its people mean to him.
“He would do the same again if such an unfortunate event were ever to recur. There was no confrontation, with Nuno or others, either on the pitch or inside the stadium.
“There was only shared frustration between all of us that the medical team should never have allowed the player to continue.
In light of this, we urge former coaches and players, and other public figures in the game, to resist the urge to rush to judgment and fake news online, especially when they do not have the full facts and context.”
