Nottingham Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi has undergone urgent surgery following a severe abdominal injury sustained during a match at the City Ground. The incident occurred when Awoniyi collided with the post while attempting to convert a cross from Anthony Elanga. The club confirmed the Nigerian international’s surgery on Tuesday, emphasizing the seriousness of the injury, which was described as potentially life-threatening by the Daily Mail.
Evangelos Marinakis said: “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. 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. 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.”
The incident has sparked discussions about player safety and the role of medical teams in assessing injuries during matches. Nottingham Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, expressed his deep concern and commitment to the welfare of his players, highlighting the club’s ethos of treating the team as a family. Marinakis’s response to the incident was not only a reflection of his leadership but also a call for unity and respect within the football community.
The club has urged the football fraternity, including former coaches and players, to avoid spreading misinformation and to prioritize the well-being of players over sensationalism. This incident underscores the importance of player safety and the need for thorough medical assessments to prevent further harm.
