Crystal Palace faced Rayo Vallecano in the final of the Conference League in Leipzig on Wednesday night and the match was paused midway through the first half due to an incident
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid fans
There was an incident in the stands(Image: ANP via Getty Images)
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Crystal Palace's Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano was paused to a medical emergency in the stands. The score was still 0-0 when the referee halted proceedings.
The stoppage came in the 36th minute after Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla sat down on the pitch. He pointed into the stands at the Spanish supporters, alerting referee Maurizio Mariani to something.
Mariani then pointed to his watch to signal a stoppage. Adam Summerton said on commentary for TNT Sports: "What we're hearing is that there has been a medical emergency, sadly, amongst the Rayo Vallecano supporters.
"Understandable that the game has been paused for the moment here, that information coming across to Inigo Perez and Oliver Glasner.
"Of course Lucy (Ward), these are two clubs where the relationship with the players and fans is felt so keenly, noticed that following Palace this season and the Vallecas region in Madrid, them representing the neighbourhood means so much to the players."
Summerton then added: "Our best wishes to the supporter affected in that stand, we hope everyone involved is OK."
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson said on BBC Radio 5 Live: "The referee is trying to get this game restarted and the Rayo goalkeeper is flatly refusing."
After a break of around four minutes, the match resumed, with a message on the big screen in Leipzig explaining the situation to supporters.
There were four minutes added on at the end of the first half and Palace went closest to breaking the deadlock in that time, Tyrick Mitchell forcing a good save from Adam Wharton's deep cross to the back post.
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