For the latest from the pitch sign up for our football newsletter
Thank you for subscribing!
For the latest from the pitch sign up for our football newsletter
We have more newsletters
One-nil up in the 80th minute, I had the typical nervous butterflies I get at Brisbane Road.
But all worries about the Leyton Orient home game against Lincoln City went out the window when we noticed commotion in the East Stand across from us.
It started with shouting, waving and fans putting out distress signals using their phone torches, prompting nearby stewards to rush over.
READ MORE: 'Harry Kane made me miss lunch by two hours to have 150 more shots – it was crazy'
You can check out more stories about football here.
Play continued as we watched medics run around the perimeter of the pitch. And it showed no signs of stopping as the supporter appeared to be getting CPR metres away from match officials.
Earlier today, the London Ambulance Service confirmed the Leyton Orient fan was later pronounced dead, despite the best efforts of the emergency responders.
After the heartbreaking news hit social media, some have questioned why it took so long for the match to be called off.
Despite the severity of the incident, it took supporters rushing onto the pitch in a bid to pause the game. The first two invaders were led off by security, with some reports saying they were ejected.
A dozen or so South Stand fans then staged a protest by sitting down in front of the goal – only to be scolded and asked to return to their seats.
Chants of "f*** the EFL" and "stop the game" rang around the stadium, in both the home and away end, as medics brought the affected fan pitch side for further treatment. But even then, it looked like officials were keen for the game to continue.
The situation turned desperate as Lincoln keeper Lukas Jensen protectively held onto the ball rather than playing it. So eventually, players were called off the pitch and the match was abandoned.
As I sat in the stand dedicated to the late Justin Edinburgh, who died from sudden cardiac arrest months after securing us promotion back to the Football League in 2019, one thing was clear.
When something like this happens, it’s way bigger than football.
According to EFL guidelines, games don't need to be stopped when there are medical emergencies in the stands.
The website states: "We strongly advise that the nearest steward is made aware, who will ensure that the crowd medical team is notified and that appropriate care is provided."
It adds: "Should a situation arise where there is a need for the match to be halted, a decision will be taken between the crowd medical team, the ground safety team and the match officials with the information relayed to the supporters at the ground.
"This is in line with the briefing note produced by National Events Medicine Advisory Group (NEMAG) in conjunction with the Sports Grounds Safety Authority’s (SGSA) and football authorities."
The EFL asks supporters "not to alert players or staff on the pitch as in most cases the crowd medical team will be able to provide medical care as the match continues."
But as shown by distressing scenes in Leyton last night, this protocol is far from perfect.
Fans took to Twitter to describe the response to the medical emergency as "shameful", "disgusting" and "disgraceful". And if it wasn't for the reaction of supporters, the game may have gone on even longer.
Should match officials and medical staff not be encouraged to pause matches when it could be a life or death situation?
Very few players or fans care much about the football when one of their own is struggling in the stands.
After the game was eventually called off last night, an EFL Spokesperson said: “The EFL confirms that tonight’s League One fixture between Leyton Orient and Lincoln City was abandoned as a result of a medical emergency.
"Our thoughts are with the supporter concerned and everyone else who was affected by this distressing incident this evening.
"In accordance with EFL Regulations, a determination will now be made by the EFL as to whether the fixture will be rescheduled, or if the result at the time of the abandonment will stand. A decision will be taken only after consultation with both Clubs.”
And yesterday, a Leyton Orient spokesperson added: "Tuesday’s fixture against Lincoln City was abandoned due to a medical emergency in the East Stand of Brisbane Road.
"The thoughts of everyone at Leyton Orient Football Club are with the individual involved and their loved ones at this distressing time.
"The club would like to thank all supporters in attendance at Brisbane Road this evening for the understanding and compassion shown, during a very difficult situation. The club will provide a further update in due course."
My thoughts are with the affected fan's loved ones at this difficult time. No one expects to go to a football match and not return home.
A few minutes of disruption on the pitch is surely favourable to fatal situations being missed. And I'm proud of the fans who decided to take action last night.
- Leyton Orient FC
Source: Read Full Article
