Taiwo Awoniyi is currently in an induced coma in hospital, with the Nottingham Forest star suffering a 'serious' abdominal injury during his side's 2-2 Premier League draw with Leicester on Sunday.
The forward crashed into a post during the fixture at the City Ground. After undergoing treatment on the field he then played on, only to be withdrawn minutes later.
The situation is why Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis stormed onto the field to confront manager Nuno Espirito Santo, with the two men exchanging words as the tension threatened to boil over.
According to the Daily Mail, Awoniyi is currently in an induced coma in hospital - having undergone 'urgent' surgery following Sunday's fixture. Sky Sports say he has a ruptured intestine.
Taiwo Awoniyi is currently in an induced coma in hospital, with the Nottingham Forest star suffering a 'serious' abdominal injury during his side's 2-2 Premier League draw with Leicester on Sunday
REUTERS/GETTY
The injury is an abdominal one and can, in some cases, be fatal. The surgery, which has been described as a 'complex medical process', is set to be completed on Wednesday.
Awoniyi was unable to be substituted on Sunday because his team had already used up all five of their permitted changes. He attempted to play on but Forest, in the end, decided to end the match with 10 men.
Forest released a statement earlier this week defending their owner, Marinakis, who had been criticised by Gary Neville for his behaviour.
They said: "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.
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"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.
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Taiwo Awoniyi collided with a post during Sunday's 2-2 draw between Nottingham Forest and Leicester
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"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.
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"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."
Football fans have sent Awoniyi messages of support on social media at such a difficult time for the player, his loved ones and everybody associated with Forest.
Nuno Espirito Santo and Evangelos Marinakis had angry words on the field following Nottingham Forest's 2-2 draw with Leicester
Getty"Hoping for a strong recovery," wrote one user.
A second said: "Thoughts with Taiwo and his family today prior to his surgery. I’m sure everyone in football and the wider community wishes him the best on his recovery."
A third stated: "Absolutely shocking. Hoping he pulls through and recovers quickly. Had no luck this season."
And a fourth said: "Quick recovery, Taiwo!"
