The game was subsequently abandoned before it was later confirmed that the Hatters’ captain suffered a cardiac arrest. It became the first Premier League game to be abandoned in years and the first due to a health issue with a player – Fabrice Muamba’s collapse during Bolton Wanderers’ game against Tottenham Hotspur in 2012 isn’t included due to it occurring in an FA Cup game.
In the case of Muamba, the game was abandoned and replayed days later, though a decision hasn’t been made on what will happen to the outcome of the game at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
Bournemouth vs Luton Town – 2023
Both teams were ordered back into the dressing room by referee Simon Hooper as Lockyer received treatment on the pitch after collapsing for a second time this year, previously in the Championship play-off final in May.
Lockyer was taken down the tunnel ‘alert and responsive’ according to Bournemouth’s doctor after a number of minutes. A teary Rob Edwards and both sets of players emerged from the dressing room to applaud every corner of the ground thanking them for their support after the match was abandoned.
Watford vs Wigan Athletic – 2006
Watford’s game against Wigan Athletic at Vicarage Road was abandoned in the 56th minute after torrential rain left the pitch unplayable. Proceedings were brought to a halt for ten minutes before the inevitable decision to call the game off was made at 1-1.
Wigan boss Paul Jewel said: “It was the only decision to make. It was unplayable and the match couldn’t continue.” While Hornets boss Aidy Boothroyd also agreed with the decision, adding: “The match could not go on. We don’t want players injured, people pay good money to be entertained and it was a bit of a farce.” The game was replayed with the scores at 0-0 before it ended 1-1.
Fulham vs Sunderland – 2006
In seemingly a bad year to be a Premier League pitch, Fulham’s game against Sunderland in April was abandoned after just 21 minutes when heavy snow made the pitch unplayable.
Play stopped with Fulham 1-0 up and after consulting with both managers and the fourth official, Mike Riley abandoned the game.
“I was standing in the technical area and at times I couldn’t see across the pitch,” Sunderland caretaker boss Kevin Ball said. “I was getting pelted with – I don’t know whether you would call it snow, ice or God knows what – but they were the biggest lumps I’ve ever been hit with.” The game was replayed with the scores at 0-0.
West Ham vs Crystal Palace – 1997
For the second time during the same season, a Premier League game was abandoned due to a floodlights issue – seeing the lights go out in the 65th minute at Upton Park with the scores at 2-2. In August, Derby County’s game against Wimbledon was abandoned after the floodlights went off and couldn’t be turned back on again.
Despite electricians working and momentarily getting the lights to flicker back on, the game was unable to restart. “The floodlights at the south end contracted a fault which was impossible to find in the timescale,” West Ham’s managing director Peter Storrie said.
Wimbledon vs Arsenal – 1997
A third floodlights issue from the same year, this time in December, saw Selhurst Park plunged into darkness with the game at 0-0 just 13 seconds into the second half. The floodlight saga was eventually uncovered as part of a setup by Malaysian members of an Asian betting syndicate who “arranged” for the lights to go out at the games – though the incident at Pride Park was never proved.
Another plot at Charlton Athletic vs Liverpool was foiled and four men – including Charlton’s security supervisor Roger Firth – were jailed for between 18 months and four years. All the fixtures were replayed at the earliest opportunity in their entirety.
Manchester United vs Bournemouth – 2016
It wasn’t technically abandoned in the same vein as the other games, but Manchester United’s final game of the season at Old Trafford in 2016 was postponed after a suspect package was found in the north-west quadrant of the ground.
Stands were evacuated when the package was discovered with less than 30 minutes left until kick-off. The game was moved to take place two nights later and United eased to a 3-1 win. The package, which was a security training device, was destroyed in a controlled explosion.