The Championship match between Charlton and Portsmouth was abandoned on Saturday after a medical emergency in the crowd. The 12.30pm kick-off was paused in the 13th minute, when the score was goalless, after a home supporter at The Valley required assistance in the lower tier of the Covered End.
The referee Matthew Donohue took the players from the pitch into the changing rooms six minutes into the incident. Donohue had been made aware of the severity of the situation by Charlton fans who drew his attention by shouting at the match official to gain his attention.
Paramedics provided treatment for a further 12 minutes before taking the supporter out of the stadium on a stretcher.
It was confirmed at 1.30pm, around three quarters of an hour after the game was originally stopped, that play would not resume. “Everyone here at Charlton sends their very best wishes to the supporter affected,” said stadium announcer Dave Lockwood. “We thank our medical team and first responders. We will inform [you] when the match will be rescheduled and that will be announced in due course. Please make your way out safely, calmly and in orderly fashion.”
Portsmouth posted on X: “Our thoughts and best wishes are with the individual involved.”
This story will be updated