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'Stop the match': Quick-thinking players 'save' distressed fan's life

Pictured here, Tottenham players Sergio Reguilon and Eric Dier motion for help after noticing a fan in distress.
Tottenham players Sergio Reguilon and Eric Dier were praised after their swift-thinking actions helped save a fan in distress. Pic: Getty/Sky Sports

The football world is hailing Sergio Reguilon and Eric Dier as heroes, after the quick-thinking actions of the Tottenham pair saved a fan in distress during their Premier League clash at Newcastle.

Spurs were leading 2-1 in the 41st minute when referee Andre Marriner halted the match after the players brought the medical emergency in the East End of the stadium to his attention on Sunday.

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Reguilon was among the first to notice the fan had collapsed in the stands and alerted Marriner, while Dier ran to the dugout and motioned for a defibrillator to be brought over.

Play was suspended for a few minutes as the referee beckoned to the players to leave the pitch while the fan was treated.

A hush fell over the stadium, with onlookers shocked by the troubling events that had unfolded.

Reguilon said afterwards that he pleaded with the referee to halt the match when he noticed the distressing scenes in the stands.

“I saw the fan lying down, and one man [giving him CPR], I was very nervous,” he told Sky Sports.

“I went to the referee and said we cannot play, stop the match. The fans say: ‘Stop, stop!’”

Newcastle later released a statement confirming that the fan was in a stable condition after being transferred to hospital.

“There is a medical emergency in the East Stand,” the stadium announcer said before telling the crowd the players would be returning.

“The supporter who was in need of urgent medical assistance has been stabilised,” Newcastle United said.

After the players returned, they played out the final seven minutes of the first half.

Spurs eventually won the game 3-2.

Tottenham' Harry Kane applauds fans after his side's victory against Newcastle.
Tottenham edged Newcastle United 3-2 in a dramatic Premier League encounter. Pic: Getty

"I think three points is always a moment of happiness but for me, more important is the guy (the fan who received medical attention), they are telling me he is OK and stable," Reguilon told BBC.

"I saw the fans waving and I saw a guy lying down, I saw something wrong had happened.

"I looked at the gaffer and he stopped the match. I think now everything is OK and 100 per cent happiness.

"It was very strange, we went to the dressing room and I was looking at the man lying down, I was nervous because I don't like to watch that."

Football world praises hero players

Spurs skipper Harry Kane said they were glad to hear the fan was doing better.

"Firstly we want to say best wishes to the guy in the stands, it was not a good sight to see," Kane said.

"We hear that he might be stable now, so we're thankful to the medical teams and the fans who were doing the CPR."

Dier and Reguilon were both awarded Man of the Match honours for their actions, which drew widespread praise from fans around the world.

with agencies

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