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15th May 2025
10:40am BST
A major update has been given on the condition of Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi.
It was reported on Tuesday evening that the Nigerian star had been forced to undergo surgery and been placed in an induced coma following an injury to his abdomen against Crystal Palace on the weekend.
The 27-year-old went to hospital on Monday and was operated on and subsequently placed in a coma on Tuesday.
The second part of the surgery took place on Wednesday, including closing the wound, when he was later woken up in the evening.
BBC Sport report that the player had ruptured his intestine, an injury which can be fatal.
The striker collided with the goal frame during Sunday's 2-2 draw which saw Awoniyi receive treatment for a substantial amount of time before returning gingerly to the field.
He was not subbed off since Forest had used all their changes.
The concern for the player was so much that owner Evangelos Marinaki entered the pitch to remonstrate towards manager Nuno Espirtos Santos why the player had been allowed to continue.
The match officials have been scrutinised for allowing the play to continue when players were clearly offside in the build up.
On Tuesday, Forest released a statement about the incident in which the medical staff and pundits who had made assumptions about the situation were criticised.
It read: "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. 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 instils 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.
"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 reoccur.
"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.
"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.'
Shortly after the exchange between Nuno and Marinakis, Neville had written on social media: 'Scandalous from that Forest owner. Nuno should go and negotiate his exit tonight with him! The Forest fans, players and manager do not deserve that."
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