Newcastle‘s Premier League clash against Tottenham was suspended shortly before half-time on Sunday after a fan collapsed and needed emergency medical attention in the crowd at St. James’ Park.
Later, on Sunday evening, Newcastle confirmed that the fan was “stable and responsive” in hospital.
Players, including Tottenham defender Sergio Reguilon, gestured for referee Andre Marriner to stop the game while Spurs were waiting to take a corner, having been alerted to the situation.
The medical staff from both clubs were urged to come to the aid of the fan in question and a defibrillator was rushed across the pitch before the stadium announcer confirmed a “medical emergency in the East Stand”.
The game was paused, with both sets of players initially waiting for the restart on the touchline before Marriner decided to take the teams back to the dressing rooms.
The fan was then stabilised and taken to hospital before the match resumed with seven minutes of first-half stoppage time.
The afternoon had began in celebratory fashion as Newcastle fans welcomed their new Saudi Arabian owners to the club, marking the end of the Mike Ashley era.
Callum Wilson’s second-minute header had got the Magpies off to a dream start, but Tanguy Ndombele levelled and Harry Kane lifted home his first league goal of the season to give Spurs a 2-1 lead prior to the suspension. Heung-min Son then extended the advantage in the lengthy period of first-half stoppage time following the resumption.
Eric Dier’s own goal gave Newcastle late hope following Jonjo Shlevey’s red card but they were unable to push for an equaliser as Steve Bruce’s 1000th game as a manager ended in defeat.
