League One football match is forcibly cancelled by desperate fans who invade the pitch and demand medical attention for someone in the crowd
- Game between Leyton Orient and Lincoln City was halted with six minutes left
- Medics responded to a ‘crowd emergency’ in the stands at Brisbane Road
A medical emergency halted play in the League One clash between Leyton Orient and Lincoln City on Tuesday night, with the match suspended six minutes from time due to a ‘crowd emergency’.
Supporters invaded the pitch in a bid to halt the match, before play was eventually suspended and both sets of players were taken off the field.
The match was suspended at 9.30pm BST and officially called off just under an hour later, with the announcement communicated over the PA system, as reported by BBC Sport.
Confusion surrounded the nature of the incident, which appeared to involve a fan falling ill in the East Stand at Brisbane Road.
Referee Stephen Martin initially allowed play to continue while the spectator was receiving treatment, until fans ran onto the pitch to draw the referee’s attention and force play to be halted.
Leyton Orient fans sit on the pitch to try and get the game held up due to a medical emergency
A medical emergency halted play in the League Two clash between Leyton Orient and Lincoln City on Tuesday night
Leyton Orient head coach Richie Wellens pleads with a fan to get off the pitch, despite the medical emergency
Several Orient fans stepped into the penalty area and sat down to ensure play was stopped, but were eventually moved on by their team’s manager Richie Wellens.
At the time of the suspension, Orient led 1-0 through Joe Pigott’s 10th-minute strike.
Eventually the players from both sides were taken off the field and the game was suspended until further notice.
‘This evening’s match will not be restarted due to the ongoing medical emergency in the East Stand,’ an Orient statement said.
‘All of our hopes are prayers are with the supporter and his loved ones at this incredibly distressing time.’
They later added: ‘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.’
Lincoln added: ‘Tonight’s match at Brisbane Road will not be restarted due to the ongoing medical emergency.
‘All our thoughts are with the Orient supporter at this time.’
One fan responded to the news: ‘Terrible news. Hope the fan is ok.’
Another added: ‘Thoughts and prayers with the supporter and their loved ones.’
Orient are 16th in League One with 14 points in 11 games, while Lincoln are one place above with an extra point.
Supporters invaded the pitch in a bid to halt the match at Brisbane Road
Orient boss Richie Wellens pleads with fans to get off the pitch after the medical emergency
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