Nottingham Forest forward, Taiwo Awoniyi, has emerged from an induced coma following a surgical procedure to mend a severe abdominal injury. The incident occurred during the closing stages of the 2-2 draw against Leicester City on Sunday when Awoniyi collided with a goalpost.
Awoniyi was rushed to the hospital on Monday after sustaining what BBC Sport understands as a ruptured intestine due to the collision. The first part of his surgery took place on Monday, and he spent Tuesday in an induced coma while medical staff closely monitored his progress as part of the procedure.
The second stage of his operation, which included closing up the wound, was performed on Wednesday. Following this successful operation, he was awakened from his medically-induced coma in early evening.
Internal review initiated by Forest
In light of these events, Nottingham Forest is set to launch an internal review into how this episode unfolded. After colliding with the goalpost and receiving extensive medical attention on-field, Awoniyi seemed to indicate that he could continue playing. Despite clearly still feeling effects from the collision, he remained in play since head coach Nuno Espirito Santo had already used up all substitute options.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis expressed concern over how Awoniyi's injury was managed post-game when it became evident that there were serious concerns about his health condition. TV footage showed clear signs of discomfort for the Nigerian player.
The club aims to investigate why Awoniyi was allowed back onto field despite showing signs of distress post-collision.
Club statement highlights medical team's role
A statement released by Nottingham Forest confirmed Awoniyi's surgery and highlighted their disappointment with their medical team’s decision-making process: "There is shared frustration between all of us that our medical team should never have allowed the player to continue."
Consultant colorectal surgeon Professor Gillian Tierney, speaking to BBC Sport, warned that injuries similar to Awoniyi's can be fatal. This incident underscores the importance of immediate and appropriate medical response in sports, particularly when it comes to potentially life-threatening situations.
While Awoniyi's recovery is a relief for all involved, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers faced by athletes and the critical role of medical teams in ensuring their safety. The internal review initiated by Nottingham Forest will hopefully lead to improved protocols and procedures in handling such incidents in future games.
