An EFL Championship clash was suspended due to a serious medical emergency in the stands.
Cardiff City were hosting Stoke City on Saturday when worrying scenes emerged.
Fans in the Ninian Stand – a stand that holds Cardiff supporters – did everything they could to get medical support for a fan in attendance.
After getting the attention of the players, the referee Michael Salisbury paused the game at around 3.35pm.
Medical teams from both Cardiff and Stoke rushed towards the stand to attend the fan, while St John’s Ambulance also looked to get involved.
With medical attention being given, players remained on the pitch and kicked footballs around in order to keep warm initially.
However Salisbury then instructed both teams to return to the dressing room.
After a lengthy stoppage, the fan was stretchered out of the stand and appeared to be sat upright in a potentially encouraging sign.
As a result, the referee instructed the players to return to the pitch where they underwent a five-minute warm-up before resuming the first half with 10 minutes of the game to play until half-time.
Getting back underway shortly after 3.55pm, it meant that the game was delayed for around 15 minutes as a result of the incident.
While the welfare of the supporter became the main priority of the day, it was a hugely important fixture for Cardiff.
The Bluebirds were third-bottom in the table going into the clash with Stoke and knew that a positive result could see them move into a position of safety.
More to follow…
