PFA Demands Review After Awoniyi’s Critical Injury Sparks VAR Debate

Following Taiwo Awoniyi’s serious abdominal injury and induced coma after colliding with the post during a Premier League match against Leicester City, the PFA is urging a review of offside flagging protocols. The delayed flag under current VAR rules is under scrutiny, with safety concerns.

In the Premier League, a distressing incident involving Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has sparked major safety concerns and calls for a review of VAR protocols. During a match against Leicester City, Awoniyi collided with the goalpost after chasing a ball during an attacking phase, resulting in a severe abdominal injury that required emergency surgery and led to him being placed in an induced coma.

The situation intensified when it was revealed that assistant referee Sian Massey-Ellis delayed raising the offside flag for teammate Anthony Elanga, following current VAR instructions to let play continue if a goal-scoring chance is possible. Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina criticized the decision, insisting Elanga was clearly offside and the flag should have gone up immediately.

In response, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) plans to meet with the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to discuss whether current VAR and offside protocols are compromising player safety. While VAR was introduced to ensure fairness in the game, this case has highlighted the risks posed by delayed decisions. Awoniyi’s health remains the top concern, but this incident may prompt IFAB to re-evaluate how technology is used in the game to protect players from avoidable harm.