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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Kieran King

Barcelona match halted for fan emergency as keeper runs to 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.

Cadiz goalkeeper Jeremias Ledesma runs towards the tribunes holding medical gear after a medical emergency was spotted in the stands (AFP via Getty Images)
The medical gear is launched into the supporters (AFP via Getty Images)

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.

Pedri and Robert Lewandowski wait after there was a medical emergency in Barcelona's game against Cadiz (Getty Images)
Cadiz's Jose Maria Martin takes the stretcher to the stands during their clash with Barcelona (Getty Images)

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.

Frenkie de Jong celebrates after scoring for Barcelona (Getty Images)

Cadiz have not scored all season and came close to breaking their duck when Fede San Emeterio shot over from inside the penalty area. Barcelona's goal came shortly afterwards, however, with De Jong slotting into the corner after Gavi's pinpoint cross.

Straight after Barca's first goal, Lewandowski was introduced and it is safe to safe he made an instant impact. The Poland international struck from close-range after Raphinha had pulled the ball back, with former Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin also playing a huge part in the goal.

Barca dominated proceedings after the delay and added a third goal through Ansu Fati, who tucked the ball home after some unselfish work from Lewandowski, who could've had a shot himself. This was before Barca scored a fourth through Dembele as he jinked back onto his right foot before slamming the ball into the corner via the post.

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