Super Eagles and Nottingham Forest defender Olaoluwa Aina believes compatriot Taiwo Awoniyi’s life threatening injury could have been prevented if assistant referee Sian Massey-Ellis had just called a ‘clear’ offside decision, Footynaija.com reports.
Aina’s Nigeria national team and Nottingham Forest teammate Awoniyi crashed into the goal post in his attempt to meet a cross from Anthony Elanga during the Tricky Trees’ 2-2 draw with EFL Championship bound Leicester City.
The big center forward, who was in obvious discomfort after the incident, recieved treatment on-field treatment and tried to carry on playing but he was unable to. Later on, it was discovered that he had suffered a ruptured intestine which led to his immediate hospitalization, emergency surgery and being placed in an induced coma.
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In the build up to the attack, Elanga appeared to be clearly offside before sending his cross in but the match official decided against raising her flag, opting to allow Forest complete the attacking sequence.
Aina, who had a good view of the unfolding events from his position on the pitch, expressed his reservation about assistant referee Massey-Ellis’ decision to let play continue, insisting Awoniyi’s injury could have been avoided altogether.
What did Aina say?
“Anthony was miles offside. The whole world could see and so could I from where I was,” Aina told Daily Mail.
“You think ‘offside’ straight away. Surely you could just lift the flag up? Personally I liked how it was back in the day when for offside they just put it up straight away.
“A simple decision and get on with the game. Having to see it out and then just see this happen … .well none of this would have happened to ‘T’ if the flag had just gone up would it?”
Awoniyi has since come out of induced coma and is reported to be recuperating well. Aina, who admitted how difficult it was to see his compatriot in that condition, revealed that the Nottingham Forest squad is praying for the safe return of their teammate.
“This is our team-mate and brother and someone we spend most of the year with,” Aina said.
“It affects everybody in some sort of way. All we can do is show our support and hopefully everything goes well for him now.
‘‘It’s horrible seeing someone you are close with go through something like this but I pray to God everything goes to plan and goes well and that we will be hearing from him soon.
“I have sent him messages. We all have.’’
Awoniyi’s recuperation will most likely keep him sidelined as Aina and the rest of the Forest squad continue to battle for a UEFA Champions League spot in this final stage of the season.
