Sports
Taiwo Awoniyi undergoes emergency surgery after collision in Nottingham Forest match
Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi underwent emergency surgery for an abdominal injury sustained during the team’s 2-2 draw against Leicester City at the City Ground on Sunday.
Awoniyi collided with the goalpost in the 88th minute while attempting to convert Anthony Elanga’s cross, and despite receiving treatment on the pitch, he initially tried to continue playing.
The true extent of the injury was only discovered by Forest’s medical staff on Monday, and Awoniyi was immediately taken for surgery, which was not believed to be life-threatening.
Nottingham Forest confirmed the procedure in a statement, saying:
” Awoniyi has undergone urgent surgery following an abdominal injury sustained during Sunday’s match against Leicester City.
” Everyone at Nottingham Forest sends their best wishes to Taiwo. The Club will provide further updates when appropriate.”
The incident sparked a dramatic reaction from Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who stormed onto the pitch after the final whistle and confronted head coach Nuno Espirito Santo. Marinakis expressed frustration over the handling of Awoniyi’s injury, stating:
“Everybody, qscoaching staff, players, supporters and including myself, we were frustrated around the injury of Taiwo and the medical staff’s misjudgment on Taiwo’s ability to continue the game.
”This is natural, this is a demonstration of the passion we feel for our club.”
The draw with Leicester City dealt a significant blow to Forest’s Champions League hopes, with the team now sitting one point outside the top five places in the Premier League with two games remaining. Forest’s fixtures include matches against West Ham and top-five rivals Chelsea.
Although their Champions League qualification is uncertain, they are guaranteed a spot in the UEFA Conference League, marking their return to European football for the first time since the 1995/96 season .
