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Soccer star Taiwo Awoniyi is reportedly in an induced coma after having surgery for a “serious abdominal injury” sustained during a match on Sunday, May 11
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Awoniyi, 27, collided with an upright while playing for Nottingham Forest in England
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Forest said in a statement that Awoniyi is “recovering well” after having the first phase of surgery for his injury
Soccer star Taiwo Awoniyi has reportedly been placed in an induced coma after sustaining a serious abdominal injury during a game.
The Nigerian, 27, crashed into an upright while playing for Nottingham Forest against Leicester City in the English Premier League on Sunday, May 11, according to the BBC.
Awoniyi joined the game as a late substitute and was treated on the pitch for several minutes before he returned to the game and was later taken off, multiple outlets, including the BBC and Sky News, reported.
Forest said in a statement posted on Instagram on Tuesday, May 13, that Awoniyi suffered a “serious abdominal injury” and is “recovering well” after having “urgent surgery.”
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Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi collides with the upright
The BBC reported that the player suffered a ruptured intestine in the incident and had surgery for his injury on Monday, May 12. He is scheduled to undergo further surgery on Wednesday, May 14, according to the outlet.
“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,” Forest continued in their statement.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis’ was also so concerned over Awoniyi’s condition he walked onto the field mid-game.
“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,” the Forest statement read.
“His deep frustration at seeing our player lying on the ground in severe pain … triggered him to go onto the pitch.”
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Taiwo Awoniyi of Nottingham Forest
The team also shared their frustrations with the medical team on the scene for allowing Awoniyi to keep on playing in the game after his injury.
“The medical team should never have allowed the player to continue,” the team wrote.
Forest added in a post on X on Tuesday, “Everyone at Nottingham Forest sends their best wishes to Taiwo. The Club will provide further updates when appropriate.”
PEOPLE has reached out to Forest for further comment.
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