Middlesbrough goalkeeper, Sol Brynn was part of the Leyton Orient team that saw their match with Lincoln City abandoned due to a medical emergency in the crowd.
According to a report on the BBC Sport site, stewards raced across to the East Stand of the Brisbane Road ground after 82 minutes, upon seeing some sort of commotion in the crowd. Fans were frantically trying to alert officials and stewards to halt the game in order to get help for the stricken fan.
Treatment was administered for several minutes whilst play continued, but one Orient supporter ran onto the pitch to try to remonstrate with the referee, one can only assume as a way of outlining the severity and the nature of the emergency.
Fan removed
Unfortunately the fan was removed by stewards and the game continued, but more supporters entered onto the pitch and proceeded to sit on the field of play in a bid to force the referee to stop the game carrying on.
It is believed that CPR was being carried out on the fan that had taken ill, whilst fans continued to plead with match officials to halt the game. Eventually, as paramedics continued to tend to the fan in the home end, the game was stopped.
The decision to abandon the game came at 22.25, nearly an hour after the game was stopped. At this time, the medical team were still working on the supporter.
Leyton Orient were leading the game 1-0 due to a goal from Joe Pigott, but the score was insignificant. There was an outpouring of respect and concern that swept social media in the aftermath of the game. Supporters of both sides acknowledged that the preservation of life is much more important than a game of football.
Respect between clubs
The actions of the fans have been quite rightly praised. The immediate reactions of some could make all the difference. There has been some criticism about the way in which stewards behaved. Especially given that the fan who raced onto the pitch was trying to alert the referee and was dismissed.
There was also anger from fans who suggest that the game should not have continued, which caused paramedics to run around the side of the pitch as opposed to straight across it.
An official Leyton Orient statement-via their website-read,
“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.”