Taiwo Awoniyi (right) was replaced in the 83rd minute The injury suffered by Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has raised questions about the future of the offside law. The 27-year-old wasplaced into an induced comaon Tuesday after requiring surgery on an abdominal injury sustained when he collided with the post in a 2-2 Premier League draw against Leicester City at the City Ground. Awoniyi was attempting to get on the end of a cross by winger Anthony Elanga. Sources have told BBC Sport that Awoniyi suffered a ruptured intestine. He received medical attention for several minutes and had to leave the field after initially attempting to carry on. He was later taken to hospital after his condition worsened. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis walked on to the pitch at full-time to speak to manager Nuno Espirito Santo, "frustrated"by the medical team's "misjudgement". Replays showed Elanga was offside in the build-up to the incident. The assistant referee followed protocol by allowing the passage of play to continue, but the severity of Awoniyi's injury has raised doubts about the application of the law. Elanga was in an offside position in the passage of play that led to Awoniyi's injury A new protocol on offsides was introduced by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) for the 2020-21 Premier League season. While the law did not change, assistant referees were told to keep their flag down if they felt there was an immediate goalscoring opportunity. Once a goal was scored or the passage of play completed, assistant referees would raise their flag to indicate offside. Should a goal be scored, the video assistant referee (VAR) could then review the offside. Assistant referees are told to immediately raise their flag for offside if the passage of play is not a clear or immediate goalscoring opportunity, if the passage of play is going to the wing, or if they are certain the attacker is in an offside position and there is no risk of error. Lawmakers say this allows more goals to be scored as officials do not intervene until the attack is completed. Although no goal was scored on Sunday, the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL) would argue the law was applied correctly given it met the criteria set by IFAB. Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett said players are "exposed to injury" by delaying an offside flag. "With the introduction of VAR came the process of assistant referees delaying the flag to indicate offside until the outcome - either a goal or possession of the ball by the defence," he told Radio 5 Live. "This is to ensure where the assistant referee makes an error on an offside decision, it doesn't impact on the goal being ruled out incorrectly. Sadly, this practice does expose the risk to players of injury." Awoniyi's injury is the most severe incident since the new application of the law was introduced. In March 2021 Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio was carried off on a stretcher following 15 minutes of on-field treatment after he collided with team-mate Conor Coady against Liverpool. Patricio took a blow to the head as he and Coady attempted to stop Mohamed Salah from scoring. The flag was raised for offside after Salah scored. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said: "It was an awful situation. It was a proper shock." In December 2023 Manchester City defender John Stones was sidelined for a month after injuring an ankle in a collision with Everton's Beto. Three weeks later City goalkeeper Ederson was substituted after colliding with Newcastle's Sean Longstaff. He was sidelined for two weeks. Following the injury to Ederson, City captain Rodri said: "We have an injury because of this situation we are trying to fix in the last years. It is ridiculous. "There are lots of injuries in this situation. So we have to check if it's the best option to follow the game." The rules of football are set by IFAB and adopted by domestic leagues around the world. IFAB board - made up of the English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish Football Associations and Fifa - meets twice a year. Typically, its spring meeting is held to discuss possible changes to the laws. One-off meetings can be convened if there are emergency issues to discuss or rules that require immediate change. "When an offside is so clear and obvious I think it is the duty of the assistant referee to put their flag up and stop play," former England women's midfielder Fara Williams told BBC Sport. "When it is marginal then I get it. We have seen those fine margins with VAR when it is a toe nail to keep them onside. "In this scenario it happened on the halfway line. This has been a time bomb waiting to go off in terms of someone getting seriously injured. Awoniyi got that horrific injury because of it. "It should never happen. Fans, players and managers will think that should never happen. "I am totally against it and I feel most players are as well. It is a rule that nobody likes and I am sure it will be assessed in the summer." BBC Sport has contacted IFAB for comment. This video can not be played How Marinakis on-pitch incident unfolded
Did 'late flag' offside law expose Awoniyi to serious injury?
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Concerns Raised Over Offside Law After Awoniyi's Serious Injury"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Taiwo Awoniyi, a striker for Nottingham Forest, has been placed in an induced coma following a serious abdominal injury sustained during a Premier League match against Leicester City. The incident occurred in the 83rd minute when Awoniyi collided with the goalpost while attempting to score from a cross delivered by teammate Anthony Elanga. Medical sources revealed that Awoniyi suffered a ruptured intestine, leading to immediate medical attention on the field. Despite initially trying to continue playing, his condition deteriorated, necessitating a hospital visit and subsequent surgery. The gravity of Awoniyi's injury has prompted discussions regarding the implementation of the offside law, especially as replays showed that Elanga was offside during the play that led to the injury. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis expressed frustration over what he deemed a misjudgment by the medical team who treated Awoniyi on the pitch.
The application of the offside law has been a topic of contention since the introduction of a new protocol by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) during the 2020-21 Premier League season. According to the revised rules, assistant referees are instructed to delay raising their flags for offside if they believe there is a potential goalscoring opportunity. This approach aims to reduce the likelihood of disallowing goals due to errors in offside decisions. However, former Premier League referee Keith Hackett and other football experts have raised concerns that this practice increases the risk of player injuries, as demonstrated by Awoniyi’s incident. Other instances of injuries related to delayed offside calls have occurred, leading to calls for a review of the current rules. Critics, including former players and managers, argue that clear offside situations should be flagged immediately to prevent dangerous collisions and injuries, urging that the offside law be reassessed to protect players in the future. As discussions continue, the football community is left grappling with the implications of the offside law and its potential risks to player safety.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The recent incident involving Taiwo Awoniyi, a Nottingham Forest striker, has sparked a significant conversation regarding the implementation and implications of the offside law in football. The severity of Awoniyi's injury, which resulted in him being placed in an induced coma, has raised questions about player safety and the efficacy of current officiating protocols.
Concerns About Offside Law Implementation
The article highlights how the offside law, which allows assistant referees to keep their flags down if they perceive an immediate goal-scoring opportunity, may have contributed to Awoniyi's injury. This situation, where an offside player was involved in a play that led to a serious injury, has prompted scrutiny of whether the law adequately protects players. The injury's nature—a ruptured intestine—emphasizes the risks involved in such interpretations of the rules.
Public Sentiment and Reactions
There is a palpable sense of frustration from Nottingham Forest's ownership regarding the medical team's response to the incident, suggesting a disconnect between officiating decisions and player safety. The incident could influence how fans and players perceive the reliability of officiating in the Premier League, potentially leading to calls for reform.
Potential Hidden Agendas
While the article focuses on the incident, it may also serve to draw attention away from broader issues within the sport, such as the ongoing debates about VAR implementation and the consistency of officiating standards across different matches. This could be a strategic move to shift public discourse towards a specific incident rather than systemic issues.
Manipulative Elements and Trustworthiness
Regarding manipulation, the framing of Awoniyi's injury alongside the offside law may evoke emotional responses, potentially swaying public opinion towards a particular viewpoint about officiating. The language used in the report emphasizes the gravity of the injury while linking it to a perceived failure of the rules, which could be seen as an attempt to elicit strong reactions from readers.
In terms of reliability, the article appears to present factual information regarding the incident, but it also leans heavily on emotional narratives that could affect how the news is perceived. The focus on injury and subsequent reactions may overshadow other relevant aspects of the match or the broader implications for football.
Social and Economic Implications
This incident could have wider implications for the sport, including discussions about player safety regulations and potential changes to officiating protocols. It may also influence how clubs approach player health and safety, particularly in high-stakes situations.
Community Support and Audience Engagement
The news resonates particularly with football fans and communities concerned about player welfare. It seeks to engage audiences who prioritize safety in sports, potentially galvanizing support for changes in how the game is officiated.
Market Impact and Financial Considerations
While the immediate financial impact on the stock market may be minimal, clubs involved in the Premier League could face scrutiny regarding player health management, which could influence their market perceptions. Investors may become more cautious about clubs that do not adequately prioritize player safety.
In conclusion, the article brings to light significant concerns regarding officiating in football and player safety. The framing of the incident is designed to provoke discussions about the effectiveness of current laws and the need for reform.