Newcastle vs. Tottenham halted after players alert staff to medical emergency in stands

A Premier League match between Newcastle and Tottenham was suspended temporarily due to a medical emergency in the stands that players made officials aware of during the first half.

Tottenham was prepared to take a corner kick in the 40th minute when players from both sides saw fans in the Gallowgate Stand at St. James' Park signaling for play to stop, per The Guardian. Players, led by Tottenham's Sergio Reguilon, spoke with referee Andre Marriner, pointing up to the issue in the stands, and officials spoke with stewards, security and assistants.

As it was unfolding, Tottenham defender Eric Dier called for the team to send a defibrillator to the East Stand, where a fan was receiving treatment from medical staff. The officials instructed both teams back to their dressing rooms in the 42nd minute, Tottenham leading, 2-1.

The fan was seen to by the the St. James' Park medical team and paramedics and eventually taken out of the stadium on a stretcher. Newcastle said on Twitter the person was stable and taken to the hospital.

An announcement was made at the stadium and first-half play resumed after a short three-minute warm-up. It was about 25 minutes between action stopping and resuming, via The Guardian's live post.

Seven minutes' stoppage time was added to the action, resulting in about 10 minutes of play before a halftime break. Tottenham scored to go into the break up, 3-1.

Dier gave up an own-goal in the 89th minute to give the final score, 3-2, in Tottenham's favor.

Fans applaud the medics who helped a fan during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St. James Park in Newcastle. (Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Fans applaud the medics who helped a fan during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St. James Park in Newcastle. (Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)