Ernest Osogbue
Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi of Nigeria is currently in an induced coma in an English hospital after undergoing surgery following a serious abdominal injury he suffered during his team’s encounter with Leicester City FC over the weekend. Awoniyi had collided with the post in a desperate attempt to score the winner late in the game, which ended 2-2.
Investigations by kjnnetwork.com shows that Anthony Elanga was offside when he swung the ball to Awoniyi. Many believe that had the old offside rule been in operation, Awoniyi will not now be in hospital because play would have been stopped. However, in the 2020/21 season, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) came up with the rule that assistant referees must keep their flags down whenever there was a goalscoring opportunity. When the goal is scored, the flag can then be raised, leaving VAR to determine whether the offside call was right or wrong.
This rule, which was intended to bring about more goals in a game, has led to many players getting injured. In March 2021, Wolves keeper Rui Patricio was strecthered off the pitch after coping a serious injury in a collision with a teammate in a game against Liverpool. City’s John Stones was similarly injured after a collision with Everton’s Beto in a similar situation. City goalkeeper Ederson also collided with Sean Longstaff of Newcastle, leading to another serious injury. Players and managers have called for a rule change. After branding the new rule, a ‘ticking time bomb’ that could lead to more serious injuries to players.
The Taiwo Awoniyi situation is seen by many as the tipping point that forces IFAB to reexamine its position. For now, our fingers are crossed as we await good news from the hospital where the Super Eagles striker is being treaded. We hope that he will come through this situation without being the worse for wear.
