The League One match between Bolton Wanderers and Cheltenham Town was abandoned on Saturday after a supporter suffered a suspected cardiac arrest in the stands. Play was halted in the 29th minute with the score at 0-0 when medical personnel were called to the East Stand.
Referee Sunny Singh Gill stopped the match and took the players off the pitch. Fans cleared the area to allow CPR to be administered. After 20 minutes of treatment, the fan was taken on a stretcher to pitch level, behind a makeshift screen, and then transferred to hospital by ambulance.
Following consultations between managers, clubs, and match officials, the decision was made to abandon the match approximately 30 minutes after play was halted, with the fan reported to be in a critical condition. The announcement was met with applause from the crowd.
Bolton Wanderers posted on X: 'Due to a medical emergency in the crowd, today’s game has been postponed. Our thoughts are with the family concerned.' A subsequent club statement added: 'The supporter was taken to hospital and the thoughts of everyone at Bolton Wanderers are with him and his family. An update on the supporter’s condition will follow. Details regarding a new date and ticket refunds/arrangements for the fixture will be released in due course.'
This is the second time this season a League One match has been abandoned due to a medical emergency in the stands. Earlier in the season, the Leyton Orient v Lincoln City match was halted after 82 minutes when a supporter required CPR, with fans running onto the pitch to ensure the game was stopped for treatment.
