Portsmouth confirm a fan has died following medical emergency at Fratton Park with Middlesbrough clash suspended for 35 minutes

A fan at Portsmouth’s Championship clash with Middlesbrough has died after a medical emergency in the crowd. 

The second-tier match was halted for around 35 minutes after a spectator in the home end required medical attention three seconds after referee Gavin Ward had initially started proceedings.

Portsmouth later announced the supporter had died, despite the efforts of the emergency services. The fan received treatment at the scene from emergency services, but sadly passed away. 

‘Portsmouth Football Club are devastated to report that a Pompey fan has died following a medical emergency at Fratton Park today,’ a club statement read.

‘The incident happened right at the start of the game, with the referee taking the players off the pitch to allow for treatment to be administered.

‘Despite the valiant attempts of the emergency services, the supporter unfortunately passed away.

Players were taken off the field before returning to warm up once more ahead of the restart

‘Next of kin are aware. Our sincere thoughts and condolences go out to the supporter’s family and loved ones at this sad time.

‘We are grateful to all the Pompey and Middlesbrough fans inside the stadium for the compassion, patience and understanding they showed in such distressing circumstances.’

Reporting live from Fratton Park on Saturday afternoon, Sky Sports’ James Savundra said: ‘Really concerning scenes. Referee Gavin Ward blew his whistle to start the game but just seconds after that blew his whistle again because of a medical emergency in the crowd near the halfway line.’

After receiving treatment in the stands, the fan was taken out on a stretcher roughly 25 minutes later.

Both home and away supporters applauded as the stretcher was carried out of the stadium as a sign of respect.  

The game was halted and the players did not emerge again until around 3.25pm to warm up once again, the match eventually restarting at 3.35pm. 

A message was played out at the ground to thank those in the ground for their patience before the resumption of proceedings. 

Portsmouth would go on to take all three points, Matt Ritchie’s double cancelling out Emmanuel Latte Lath’s opener, the hosts remaining in the bottom three on goal difference, while Michael Carrick’s side drop out the play-off spots.