Championship match delayed after emergency responders give CPR to fan in stands

07 October 2023 , 15:18

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The game was delayed following the medical incident

The second half of Southampton's match against Rotherham in the Championship was delayed following a medical emergency in the stands at St Mary's.

A supporter received CPR from medics after collapsing on the stairs in the closing stages of the first half. The referee was alerted to the problem in the Itchen Stand by Rotherham goalkeeper Viktor Johansson.

Sky Sports reporter Katie Shanahan said on Soccer Saturday: “Really concerning scenes, a medical emergency in the far corner of the stadium just two minutes before the break. Viktor Johansson the (Rotherham) keeper was trying to alert the referee to what had happened. He carried on the game, but within a minute had to pause to go over to both managers as the corner was about to be taken.

“All the fans were alerted to the far corner of the stadium to see what was going, from where I was going I could see chest compressions and I’ve been told they did perform a second round of CPR on the fan.

"The fan was then stretchered down the stairway to a round of applause from all the supporters. The game was delayed for 10 minutes, but really, really concerning scenes at St. Mary’s.”

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Rotherham United tweeted: "Our thoughts and well wishes are with the supporter involved." Southampton led the match 1-0 at the break thanks to Stuart Armstrong's early strike.

Earlier this week, Leyton Orient supporter Derek Reynolds, 74, died after being taken unwell towards the end of the League One match against Lincoln. The match was abandoned 82 minutes in after fans climbed onto the pitch to alert the referee to the medical emergency.

Felix Keith