Premier League: Newcastle United match with Tottenham Hotspur halted due to medical emergency

The Newcastle fan who required emergency medical treatment during Sunday’s game against Tottenham is “stable and responsive” in hospital, the Magpies have said.

The Premier League encounter at St James’ Park, which the visitors won 3-2, was suspended for 20 minutes towards the end of the first half as a medical emergency in the stands became apparent.

A member of the medical staff runs over to help with a medical emergency in the stands
Scott Heppell

Spurs pair Sergio Reguilon and Eric Dier played key roles in making sure the match was stopped and the man swiftly received treatment.

The game resumed after the fan was stabilised and taken to hospital, and the north east club confirmed later on Sunday evening: “Newcastle United can confirm that a supporter who required emergency medical treatment during the club’s Premier League fixture with Tottenham Hotspur at St James’ Park on Sunday is stable and responsive in hospital.

The supporter who was in need of urgent medical assistance has been stabilised and is on their way to hospital.

Our thoughts are with them. 🖤🤍

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 17, 2021

“The match was temporarily suspended during the incident, which occurred during the first half, and the supporter was awake and able to converse upon being transported to hospital.

“The club would like to thank fans for their swift actions in raising the alarm and praise those who provided immediate chest compressions, as well as thanking the on-site medical professionals who swiftly administered emergency treatment using a defibrillator located close to the incident.

“Newcastle United club doctor, Dr Paul Catterson, also attended the incident to offer additional support with an additional defibrillator.

“Our best wishes go to the supporter and their loved ones and we hope for a swift and full recovery.”

Reguilon and Dier were jointly awarded man-of-the-match honours following their quick thinking. Reguilon alerted referee Andre Marriner to the incident while Dier sprinted to the touchline to inform the bench and make sure medics, and a defibrillator, were quickly at the scene.

“We heard the fans screaming,” Reguilon told Sky Sports after the match.

A member of the Newcastle United medical team runs to assist a fan in the stands during the Premier League match at St. James' Park, Newcastle.
Owen Humphreys

“I saw one guy lying down. I was very nervous. I went to the referee and said, ‘We have to stop, we cannot play like this’.

“Now, I think he is OK? That is more important than anything.”

Alongside a picture of Reguilon speaking to Marriner, Spurs tweeted: “Delighted to hear positive updates following today’s medical emergency at St James’ Park.

“We’re proud of our players and thankful to the incredible staff who responded in such difficult circumstances.”

Ex-Newcastle and Tottenham winger David Ginola, who suffered a cardiac arrest during a charity match in France in 2016, was at the match working as a television pundit, and urged everybody to get CPR training.

“[The incident] brings back some very weird memories,” the 54-year-old said in the Sky Sports studio during the stoppage.

“I have not been in the country for years and you have a heart attack in the stadium – it is a bit weird.

“I think a defibrillator helps massively. Having people being able to perform CPR helps massively. At the end of the day we should all be able to perform CPR to help each other.”

Newcastle United club doctor Paul Catterson is told by Tottenham Hotspur's Eric Dier to assist a member of the crowd in the stands during the Premier League match at St. James' Park, Newcastle.
Owen Humphreys

Ginola collapsed and fell into a coma more than five years ago. He was administered CPR on the pitch by fellow footballer Frederic Mendy.

“This is what saved my life,” added Ginola, who also played for Tottenham, Aston Villa and Everton. “The surgeon who operated said to me: ‘I did my job but I didn’t save your life, the one who saved your life is the one next to you on the football pitch’.

“Frederic Mendy and those guys had been told how to perform CPR and they did it for 12 minutes. I was dead for 12 minutes.

“It is very important because otherwise the brain is damaged, even if your heart is saved.”

Former Magpies midfielder Kieron Dyer was also appearing as a pundit for Sky Sports and he added: “When you do your coaching badges it is compulsory you learn your first aid.

“We have to learn CPR and know where all the defibrillators at the training ground are because having that bit of knowledge will save lives.”