December 16, (THEWILL) – A football match between AFC Bournemouth and Luton Town was abandoned on Saturday, after Luton defender Tom Lockyer collapsed on the pitch. The incident occurred in the 60th minute with the score at 1-1. Medical staff immediately rushed onto the field to attend to the 29-year-old player, who was stretchered off after nearly 30 minutes.
Reports monitored by THEWILL reveal that Lockyer is currently alert and responsive. This marks the second on-pitch collapse for the player within the past year. Last season, Lockyer collapsed during the Championship play-off final and later underwent heart surgery. In a recent interview, he stated that he had been given a clean bill of health after extensive testing.
The match at Vitality Stadium was suspended whilst Lockyer received medical attention. After close to half an hour, officials decided to abandon the game altogether rather than resume play. Both sets of players left the field and entered the tunnel.
This latest collapse will raise further questions about player safety and medical precautions in football. While the exact cause remains unknown, Lockyer’s pre-existing heart condition is likely a contributing factor. The welfare of players suffering medical episodes during matches will be the key concern moving forward.
Officials have not stated whether the match will be replayed at a future date or nullified as a postponed fixture. For now, the focus rests solely on Lockyer making a full recovery.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
