An EFL official has been taken to hospital after falling ill seven minutes into the West Brom vs Middlesbrough Championship clash.

Rob Smith was the assistant referee for the match at The Hawthorns on Tuesday night.

Assistant referee Smith was taken ill during West Brom’s clash with MiddlesbroughGetty

But just a few minutes into the contest, the game was stopped so that Smith could receive treatment.

Medical staff from both Middlesbrough and West Brom, as well as paradmedics, tended to Smith, who was stretchered away after an eight-minute stoppage.

As a result, the fourth official on the night – Eddie Smart – took over as his replacement as linesman.

The details of Smith’s conditions are yet to be confirmed, but an update by Sky Sports stated that the assistant referee had complained of feeling ill just moments into the game.

After being stretchered away, Smith taken to a nearby hospital and was said to be talking and feeling drowzy.

An update on West Brom’s X account said: “The game is back underway.

“Our best wishes are with assistant referee Rob Smith, who cannot continue after receiving medical treatment.”

Meanwhile Middlesbrough wrote: “The game has now restarted.

“We send our very best wishes to assistant referee Rob Smith, who is unable to continue officiating tonight.”

As a result, the Championship clash saw eight minutes of added time at the end of the first half, with the score 0-0 between West Brom and Middlesbrough.

He was subsequently stretchered away and taken to a local hospitalGetty

It was a poignant night at the Hawthorns as fans from both teams paid tribute to West Brom fan Mark Townsend who lost his life following a medical emergency during the Baggies’ clash with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on Saturday.