Debunking the myth around rise in medical emergencies at football matches

These are strange times. Fear is in the air. Uncertainty reigns. A sequence of events that appears unprecedented can assume a significance that goes beyond reality.

On Saturday, four EFL games were interrupted by medical emergencies in the stands. At Craven Cottage, Fulham’s 1-1 draw with Blackpool was delayed by more than half an hour while a fan was treated and transported to hospital. Paul Parish, who suffered a cardiac arrest, later died.

There was better news from Boundary Park, where Oldham Athletic’s 0-0 draw against Rochdale was held up for 23 minutes. The individual involved was reported to be in stable condition after being taken into medical care.

The scares at Wycombe Wanderers versus MK Dons and Bradford City’s game against Crawley Town were less severe. Yet four stoppages in one afternoon seem to be part of an emerging pattern. There have been a series of similar incidents over the past few months. The list of fixtures halted because of illness involving spectators is growing. Teams have been taken off the pitch at St James’ Park, Vicarage Road, White Hart Lane and St Mary’s over recent weeks.

This is a new and frightening development. There must be a reason for it. The pertinent question is straightforward: what is different now that would explain this unnerving spate of emergencies. There is a seemingly obvious answer: the pandemic. Anti-vaccination conspiracy theorists took to social media on Saturday evening to give their take on what is happening. “This is not normal,” tweeted one. “Stop thinking it is normal.”

In one sense that statement is correct. This is a new phenomenon. The apocalyptic overtones are risible, though. Anyone who has attended football regularly for any length of time knows that