Portsmouth clash bizarrely SUSPENDED as ref walks down tunnel with the ball before FAN ‘takes over as linesman’
PORTSMOUTH’S clash with Cheltenham was bizarrely delayed as the officials appealed for any qualified refs in the crowd to take over as linesman.
The unusual incident occurred just 12 minutes into the second half, when referee Ben Toner grabbed the ball and left the field of play.
At the time, Pompey tweeted: “As if this afternoon couldn’t get anymore bizarre…
“The referee has taken the ball and disappeared down the tunnel – we’ll keep you updated.”
Two minutes later, they added: “A message has just gone out over the PA system for a qualified official to make themselves known…
“And a fan from the stands has just emerged to take over duties, so we should be fine!”
The original officiating team at the match consisted of Ben Toner as referee, Daniel Flynn and Mark Derrien as his assistants and Stephen Brown as the fourth official.
One of the linesmen was forced off injured during the first half of the match, with Brown taking over.
Disaster then struck early on in the second period, when the other linesman also picked up an injury.
At this point the referee led both teams back down the tunnel, with the Fratton Park PA system appealing for any qualified referees to emerge from the crowd.
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Around ten minutes after the initial incident it was confirmed that play would resume in a further five.
The match eventually got back underway in the 55th minute, with a supporter running the line.
Pompey and Cheltenham were level at 0-0 when the suspension occurred.
As the replacement assistant ref raised his flag for a throw-in for the first time, he received a loud cheer from the crowd.
The officials eventually reverted to the original match clock, meaning they entered 21 minutes of stoppage time at the end of the initial 90.