A Nottinghamshire MP has asked the FA to launch an urgent review after Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi collided with a goalpost and was placed into an induced coma amid criticism that the officials failed to raise the offside flag quicker. The Nigeria striker is recovering from surgery on a serious abdominal injury sustained in the 88th minute of the Reds' 2-2 draw with Leicester City at the City Ground on Sunday, May 11.
Awoniyi, 27, had been sprinting to slide and convert a cross from Anthony Elanga and his momentum took his midriff into a post at the Trent End. But winger Elanga was in an offside position in the build-up to the incident and the assistant referee did not raise their flag until the passage of play had been complete because of an offside protocol brought in in 2020.
It's led to calls for a change in the rules of the game - and James Naish, the Labour MP for Rushcliffe, whose constituency covers the City Ground, has now written to the FA raising concerns about how current offside rules may have contributed to the incident.
Mr Naish writes in his letter: "Several constituents have contacted me about this incident, noting that it could have been avoided altogether if play had been stopped earlier.
"The incident has resulted in concerns being vocalised, among my constituents but no doubt across the wider football community as well, about whether current officiating protocols - particularly around the delayed raising of the offside flag - adequately protect player safety."
Mr Naish asked the FA if it would be formally reviewing the incident involving Awoniyi and whether it is considering amendments to the offside flagging protocol.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis came onto the pitch after the full-time whistle in a move the club said was down to a reaction "of deep care, responsibility, and emotional investment in one of our own".
Awoniyi has since woken from his induced coma and is being monitored by medical staff. The player himself issued a statement on Sunday, May 18, saying he was "grateful to still be here".
With Forest having guaranteed European football next season, Nuno's side take on Chelsea in the final game of the Premier League season at the City Ground on Sunday, May 25. The Reds can finish in either of the three European spots depending on their own result and the results of others.