Rotherham United’s home match against Birmingham City was stopped in the first half on Saturday afternoon due to a medical emergency in the crowd. The players were taken off the pitch following the incident before resuming play 30 minutes later.
After a 20-minute suspension, the fan left the stadium with the on-site medical team. Taking to X to share an update, the official Rotherham account posted: “The supporter has now left the stadium with medical professionals. We would like to thank everyone for their compassion and patience and it goes without saying that all our love and thoughts are with the casualty.”
Continuing to show their gratitude online, Rotherham later said: “We cannot put into words our gratitude to the paramedics, medical professionals and both sets of supporters for the incredibly compassionate way in which such a difficult situation has been handled. Sincerely, from every single one of us at Rotherham United, thank you.”
Rotherham had confirmed the match was stopped at 3:10pm, saying: “A temporary pause in play for what appears to be a medical emergency in the crowd.”
They later added: “Players from both sides have been taken into the dressing rooms as the medical teams respond to the emergency. Our best wishes to the person involved.”
Following the interruption, Sky Sports News reporter Neil Mellor, speaking on Gillette Soccer Saturday, said: “The stadium is in shock at the moment. Steve Evans’ return, there was a lot of excitement there, but the game was stopped after eight minutes with a medical emergency.
“It is in the home end with the Rotherham fans. The emergency services were over very quickly… the players came to the side of the pitch for a couple of minutes. Then the referee blew his whistle. He ordered all the players off the pitch.”
After the stoppage, the players returned to the pitch for a quick warm-up, before resuming play at 3:45pm. The match restarted in the 11th minute, with the score still locked at 0-0.
It had been a big day for the Championship’s basement side Rotherham, who welcomed back former manager Steve Evans to the club. It’s too little too late as far as their survival hopes are concerned, with the Millers’ relegation having already been confirmed.
