WATCH: Premier League match abandoned after Luton Town captain collapses mid-game

Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest that caused the match to be abandoned.

WATCH: Premier League match abandoned after Luton Town captain collapses mid-game

Tom Lockyer receives treatment after collapsing (Image via The Sun)

The Premier League saw its first abandoned match on 16th December due to a player collapsing on the field. Luton Town traveled to Bournemouth to play their 17th match of the season. Elijah Adebayo opened the scoring for Luton within three minutes and went into the first half leading the game. Bournemouth equalized in the 58th minute thanks to Dominic Solanke’s strike.

Unfortunately, there was a medical emergency that caused the game to be stopped altogether. Just a minute after conceding, Luton captain Tom Lockyer collapsed. The referee stopped the play and the medics came on the field to examine the defender. The players went towards the dugouts, while the stretchers were brought out for Lockyer. 

The clock kept running for 7 more minutes while Lockyer was examined by the medical professionals, with the fans and players concerned. In the 65th minute, the play was suspended, with the fans applauding the players walking back to the dressing rooms. As they walked off, the Luton fans sang a chant on Lockyer to show their support. 

Lockyer was reported to be alert and responsive, but he was stretchered off the field. During the broadcast, the camera kept panning to the tensed fans while the entire Vitality Stadium was as quiet as a library. 30 minutes after Lockyer collapsed, the match was abandoned with the players and managers applauding the fans. The Club confirmed he had suffered a cardiac arrest. 

Tom Lockyer’s first collapse

Just 7 months before Lockyer collapsed in the Vitality Stadium, he suffered a similar problem in the Championship play-off finals. Facing Coventry City in the Wembley Stadium to decide who goes to the Premier League, the stakes were high for both teams. 

Tom Lockyer
Tom Lockyer had collapsed in the 2023 Championship play-off final. (Image via The Sun)

The defender played 11 minutes before collapsing due to Atrial Fibrillation. The defender was taken off the field and sent to a hospital. Luton went on to win the match on penalties and the team celebrated with his shirt. Lockyer celebrated it in the hospital as well. Soon after the match he underwent heart surgery and was given the clear to return to football. 

There have been no reports on whether the match will be rescheduled or not. As of now the match stands canceled with no points distributed to either team. Tom Lockyer is currently in a hospital receiving treatment with his family by his side. 

In case you missed: