Bolton match abandoned due to medical emergency as paramedics rush to fan's aid

13 January 2024 , 15:38

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Bolton's game against Cheltenham was abandoned following a medical emergency (Image: PA)

Bolton's home game against League One rivals Cheltenham on Saturday afternoon was abandoned following a medical emergency in the crowd.

The worrying incident unfolded 29 minutes into the game. Medics rushed to the stricken fan with a defibrillator, as home supporters vacated the area to allow treatment to take place. Both sets of players returned to the dressing room after play was halted.

Referee Sunny Gill was quick to stop the game as soon as he became aware of the emergency. "There's been a stoppage in-play here due to an apparent medical incident in the crowd," confirmed Bolton on X. "The players have been taken from the field for now."

Play was then abandoned around 30 minutes after the initial suspension. Bolton added: "Due to a medical emergency in the crowd, today’s game has been postponed. Our thoughts are with the family concerned. More information will follow."

Both sets of players were consulted before the game was abandoned. Cheltenham echoed Bolton's statement on X and added: "The thoughts of everyone at Cheltenham Town Football Club are with the individual involved and their loved ones at this time."

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The stricken fan received treatment in the stands for around 20 minutes before being stretched to pitch level. Stewards surrounded the individual with a makeshift screen, as an ambulance waited around the corner. They were then taken to hospital.

Both sets of supporters applauded the fan taken ill as they left the Toughsheet Community Stadium. It's believed the individual in question is in a "critical condition". More information on their condition is expected to follow throughout the evening.

Both sets of players made their way off the pitch as the medical emergency unfolded (PA)

Bolton headed into Saturday afternoon's game second in League One after picking up 51 points from their opening 24 games. Ian Evatt's side, who lost to Barnsley in last year's play-off semi-final, have won 16 of their first 24 league fixtures this season.

Cheltenham, meanwhile, are in danger of relegation after picking up just six league wins this campaign. Darrell Clarke's team were in the bottom four ahead of Saturday afternoon's trip to the Toughsheet Community Stadium, three points from safety.

Reading's League One fixture against Port Vale at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Saturday afternoon was also abandoned after hundreds of home fans invaded the pitch in protest of the club's owner. Play was stopped around 16 minutes into the game.

Reading asked fans to "please leave the field of play" on social media and warned "the club will face serious sanctions if this does not take place". Protesting supporters didn't listen to the appeal and the game was abandoned around 70 minutes later.

Reading have suffered several points deductions since November 2021, amounting to 16 points. The Royals are in serious danger of a second successive relegation and most fans want their owner Dai Yongge to sell the club as soon as possible.

Tom Blow