Nottingham Forest star Taiwo Awoniyi is currently in an induced coma under hospital care after urgent surgery, following a harrowing injury sustained during the team's 2-2 draw with Leicester City.
Forest have confirmed that the forward is "recovering well so far following urgent surgery on a serious abdominal injury". However, The Daily Mail is now reporting that the injury could have been fatal, had it not been operated on in what has been termed a 'complex' medical operation.
The Nigerian star received on-field medical attention after a collision with the goalpost in his attempt to net a goal. Despite initially signalling to manager Nuno Espirito Santo that he could continue, Awoniyi had to be substituted shortly afterwards.
TOPSHOT - Nottingham Forest's Nigerian striker #09 Taiwo Awoniyi (C) and Leicester City's Argentinian midfielder #40 Facundo Buonanotte (L) react after colliding during the English Premier League football match between Nottingham Forest and Leicester City at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England, on May 11, 2025. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Awoniyi smashed into the goalpost as he collided with Buonanotte
Forest issued a statement on Tuesday updating fans on Awoniyi's condition and confirming that the 27-year-old underwent urgent surgery. The initial signs point to the surgery being a success.
Forest's statement read: "Nottingham Forest can confirm that Taiwo Awoniyi is recovering well so far following urgent surgery on a serious abdominal injury sustained during Sunday's match against Leicester City.
"The seriousness of his 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."
The club also hit back at attacks on their staff after many criticised owner Evangelos Marinakis for entering the field and appearing to argue with Santo. Awoniyi could not be substituted because Forest had used their last available switch and would be left with ten men.
Nottingham Forest star Taiwo Awoniyi
The forward attempted to keep playing before being taken off (Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
However, as the seriousness of Awoniyi's injury became more apparent, he was forced to come off. After they were left to play the last few minutes with 10 men, it appeared Marinakis took issue with Nuno at full time.
Forest's statement continued: "At Nottingham Forest, 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 football club - it's family - and he instils that message in all of us.
"That is why he was so personally and emotionally invested in the situation that unfolded at the City Ground on Sunday. 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 as 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. In the final ten minutes of the game, when he saw our player clearly in discomfort, struggling through visible pain, it became increasingly difficult for him to stay on the sidelines.
Nottingham Forest's Nigerian striker #09 Taiwo Awoniyi (C-L) and Leicester City's Argentinian midfielder #40 Facundo Buonanotte (C-R) receives medical attention after colliding during the English Premier League football match between Nottingham Forest and Leicester City at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England, on May 11, 2025. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Nottingham Forest owner described the club as a "family" after the event
"His deep frustration at seeing our player lying on the ground in severe pain - something no one with genuine care could ignore - triggered him to go onto the pitch. 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 reoccur.
"The truth of the matter is there was no confrontation, with Nuno or with 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 judgement and fake news online, especially when they do not have the full facts and context. Baseless and ill-informed outrage for the purposes of personal social media traction serves no one - least of all the injured player.
"We call on these influential voices to show the same respect for player welfare that they often demand from others. Let concern come before commentary.
"At Nottingham Forest, we believe the mental and physical well-being of our players and coaching staff must always take precedence - over media narratives, inflammatory judgements, and certainly over self-promotion. In moments like these, the game must unite around those who put their bodies and minds on the line every week. That's what real leadership looks like in our game."
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