A Championship football match between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth was officially abandoned on Saturday following a serious medical emergency in the crowd at The Valley.
Match Halted as Emergency Unfolds
The game was brought to a sudden stop in the 13th minute, with the scoreline still poised at 0-0. Alert supporters quickly drew the attention of stewards and match officials to the critical situation unfolding in the stands, where a home fan required urgent medical assistance.
Referee Matthew Donohue immediately suspended play to allow emergency treatment to proceed unimpeded. Approximately six minutes after the initial stoppage, and with the situation ongoing, the decision was made to take both teams off the pitch.
Referee's Decision and Safety Protocols
The players remained in the dressing rooms for around 45 minutes while the incident was managed. Following consultations with the stadium's Safety Officer and medical professionals, the referee confirmed the abandonment. The announcement was made to the crowd via the stadium announcer.
Under EFL regulations, the authority to abandon a match rests solely with the referee. This decision is guided by protocols from the EFL and the Sports Ground Safety Authority. While crowd medical teams operate separately from those for players, a major incident impacting the stadium environment can lead to a suspension or abandonment of play.
Fixture to Be Replayed in Full
In line with league rules covering abandonments due to circumstances beyond either club's control, the fixture will be replayed in its entirety on a new date. This regulation applies when the event is not caused by misconduct from the teams or their supporters.
Charlton Athletic subsequently issued a statement expressing the club's concern. "Our thoughts are with the supporter and their family during this time," the club said, extending thanks to the swift-responding fans, medical teams, and first-aiders. The club confirmed that details for the rescheduled match would be communicated to fans as soon as possible.
