A crucial Women's Champions League encounter between Chelsea and FC Barcelona was thrown into disarray on Thursday night when a sudden power cut brought the game to an abrupt halt.
Stadium Plunged Into Darkness
The match was paused with the score level after a complete electrical failure struck Stamford Bridge. With temperatures hovering near freezing in west London, all communication systems failed simultaneously, including the crucial Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology and live broadcast feeds for both BBC and Disney+.
Viewers watching on BBC Two and iPlayer were met with a blank screen and an error message that read: 'We apologise for the interruption to this programme and are trying to correct the fault.' On Radio 5 Live, former Chelsea star Fran Kirby commented on the strange situation for those watching from home, noting how unusual it is for play to stop due to camera failures.
Frustrating Delay in Freezing Conditions
With the match officials unable to communicate with the VAR booth, the referee had no choice but to suspend play in the frigid two-degree conditions. Players from both sides were forced to wait on the pitch for just over five minutes until officials confirmed systems were operational again.
Following the restart, Barcelona managed to regain their composure, and the first half eventually concluded after nine minutes of added time. Ellie Carpenter had initially put the Catalan side ahead with a magnificent solo effort, before Ewa Pajor capitalised on poor Chelsea defending to equalise.
VAR Drama After Restoration
The VAR system became central to the action immediately after power was restored. Chelsea thought they had snatched a dramatic winner when substitute Catarina Macario headed home moments after entering the pitch. However, after a prolonged delay, the VAR review confirmed the goal would not stand due to the American star being in a marginal offside position.
The unprecedented interruption highlighted the dependency of modern football on technology and stable infrastructure, leaving players and spectators alike in limbo during one of the season's most anticipated fixtures.
