Bolton’s League One clash against Cheltenham took an unexpected turn as the match was abandoned and postponed due to a medical emergency in the crowd. The incident occurred during the first half, prompting medics to rush to a fan with a defibrillator as nearby supporters were ushered away.
With fans making way for medical personnel to perform CPR, nearly 20 minutes of treatment ensued before the individual was brought down to the pitch on a stretcher. An ambulance quickly transported them to the nearest hospital.
Referee intervention came after 29 minutes with the score tied at 0-0, leading both teams back to their dressing rooms. Approximately 15 minutes later, the decision to abandon the match at the Toughsheet Community Stadium was reached through discussions with managers, clubs, and match officials.
The crowd’s reaction was marked by applause upon the announcement of the abandonment. Bolton and Cheltenham later posted updates on social media expressing concern for the individual involved. This marks the second incident this season where a League One match has been abandoned due to a medical emergency in the stands, highlighting the significance of crowd safety in football.
