adminBarcelona were in action against Cadiz but their game had to be halted with goalkeeper Jeremias Ledesma helping running to the stands with medical equipment.
Barcelona’s game against Cadiz was halted for around 30 minutes after a medical emergency in the stands.
The Catalan giants were 2-0 up before the match was stopped in the 81st minute, after a medical emergency was spotted inside the stadium. Cadiz goalkeeper Jeremias Ledesma ran to fetch medical equipment before sprinting to, and throwing it, into the stands as both sets of players understood the serious nature of the situation.
Another Cadiz player, Jose Maria, could be seen helping a member of staff rush a stretcher through the stands to the area in need. Red Cross staff were also present as the fan was revived in the stands. According to reports, a fan had suffered a heart attack. The supporter recovered a pulse, was stabilised and taken to hospital in an ambulance.
Meanwhile, Barca defender Ronald Araujo and his Cadiz counterpart Fali could be seen praying on the pitch.
After 20 minutes, the players were instructed to walk off the pitch by the referee and return to the dressing room where they should wait until further notice. Cadiz released the following statement at 7:35pm: “The players head back to the locker room until the situation is resolved, but the game is not yet suspended.”
Just after 8pm, the players were back out on the pitch warming up, with Ledesma amongst those to be getting ready for the game to get back underway. All 10 Barcelona outfield players were spotted stretching, while the Cadiz squad were doing the same.
The game got back underway at 8.09pm as both sides got ready to contest the final nine minutes plus added-on time. There was further panic in the stands when another fan collapsed, but this time they had only fainted and were treated on the spot. The delay lasted for around a 55 minutes.
Frenkie de Jong had put Xavi’s side ahead with an emphatic finish – his first goal of the season. This was all before Robert Lewandowski continued his impressive record in front of goal 10 minutes later as he tucked home. The game was then halted in the 81st minute.
With Barcelona facing Bayern Munich on Tuesday, Xavi decided to start Lewandowski on the bench, however, alongside Pedri and Ousmane Dembele. But the Catalans struggled to break down a compact Cadiz defence during the first-half. The closest they came to breaking the deadlock before the break was when the outstanding Gavi slipped the ball through for Raphinha and his shot struck the outside of the post. – Mirror.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter