Chelsea’s FA Cup third-round encounter with Charlton Athletic was brought to a standstill on Saturday evening following a medical emergency among spectators at The Valley.
Referee Chris Kavanagh halted proceedings approximately 10 minutes into the London derby.
The stadium’s announcement system informed those present: “There is a medical emergency in the crowd. We thank you for your patience.”
Charlton confirmed the stoppage via their official X account, stating: “There has been a break in play due to a medical emergency in the crowd.”
The match remained goalless when play was suspended.
Paramedics attended to the individual near the Chelsea dugout before escorting him from the stands wearing an oxygen mask.
The stricken supporter received a warm ovation from home fans as he was helped away from the seating area.
Both sets of players initially gathered on the touchline, with Chelsea’s squad moving towards manager Liam Rosenior while Charlton’s players congregated near Nathan Jones.
Chelsea’s FA Cup third-round encounter with Charlton Athletic was brought to a standstill on Saturday
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TNT Sports commentator Darren Fletcher noted the match was “momentarily paused” due to the situation inside the ground.
After approximately five minutes, with the supporter receiving swift medical attention, the referee signalled for the contest to restart.
During the interruption, players from both clubs remained on the pitch, hydrating and keeping their muscles warm as medical staff dealt with the emergency.
The incident unfolded in the area adjacent to the away team’s technical area, with the scoreboard frozen at 0-0 and showing just under ten minutes played.
Referee Chris Kavanagh halted proceedings approximately 10 minutes into the London derby
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Both squads subsequently returned to the field with footballs to maintain their readiness while awaiting clearance to resume.
The precise nature of the medical situation has not been disclosed.
The supporter appeared to receive prompt care from emergency personnel before being removed from the stadium.
The medical emergency marks the second such incident at The Valley in recent weeks, following the tragic death of a Charlton supporter in December.
The match remained goalless when play was suspended.
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Norman Barker, a well-known figure among the club’s fanbase who earned the affectionate nickname ‘Headphones Norm’ for his distinctive accessory, collapsed during a match at the ground.
On that occasion, medical teams rushed to assist the supporter at the Covered End after 12 minutes, and referee Matthew Donohue subsequently ordered players off the pitch due to the distressing scenes.
The fixture was ultimately abandoned, with Charlton later confirming Barker had passed away.
The club paid tribute to him as “a true beacon of the Addicks faithful.”
