Referee Sam Purkiss sent himself to the sidelines during Charlton’s clash with Wrexham – after picking up a first-half injury.
Fireworks were expected at The Valley on Saturday afternoon for the Addicks’ biggest expected crowd in five years against the Hollywood-owned Welsh club.
Charlton’s clash with Wrexham saw referee Purkiss forced off due to injuryGetty
And the League One tie certainly lived up to the early billing after the visitors took a 16th minute lead courtesy Conor Coventry’s own goal.
But the hosts were back on level terms shortly after thanks to Macaulay Gillesphey’s looping header over former Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo.
Then came the bizarre moment when Purkiss hit the deck just after the half-hour mark.
Holding his knee, a medic quickly arrived onto the pitch, as both sets of players came over to check up on him.
However, he was unable to continue, resulting in the referee being replaced by fourth official Alan Dale.
As a result, a whopping ten minutes of injury time were added to the end of the first-half.
Fans were quick to make light of Purkiss’ injury, as one X user posted: “Literally not fit to referee.”
Replying to Wrexham‘s statement on the substitution, another quipped: “Last throw of the dice.”
A third joked: “Come on Dale lad, make the difference.”
This supporter then simply stated: “My first time witnessing a referee subbed.”
Purkiss went down holding his knee at The ValleyGetty
A medic quickly arrived onto the pitch as players checked in on his welfareGetty
Incredibly, this isn’t the first time in Purkiss’ career that he has had be withdrawn during a match.
In Swindon’s fixture with Coventry in January 2023, he left the field on a stretcher having been knocked out after Ciaran Brennan’s clearance smashed into his head.
Following tests at Great Western Hospital, he was later given the all-clear and discharged the same day.
Upon hearing the news, Swindon posted: “Great news, and we wish Sam a quick recovery.”
And it now appears that Purkiss could be set for a spell on the sidelines once more.
