Tom Lockyer updates – Bournemouth vs Luton CANCELLED after major medical scare as club confirm cardiac arrest
BOURNEMOUTH'S game against Luton Town has been abandoned after Tom Lockyer collapsed on the pitch.
The Welsh international got medical attention on the pitch and after a prolonged period of time, officials decided to abandon the match.
Club officials have since confirmed that he suffered a cardiac arrest and is in hospital having tests.
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Medical staff praise
The Times' Henry Winter has praised the medical staff for their immediate response following Tom Lockyer's collapse from a cardiac arrest.
"Medics deserve huge praise for their speed, decisiveness and expertise in responding to Tom Lockyer’s cardiac arrest," he wrote on X.
"Wishing Tom a full recovery."
BBC presenter's emotional message
Final Score presenter Jason Mohammad sent an emotional mewssage to Ton Lockyer during the show.
He said: “This is very difficult for all of us, but especially those of us who know Tom. Tom grew up a couple of streets away from where I live. I know his dad really well, so my thoughts and prayers are with his family and his friends.
"He is of course a very popular member of the Wales squad as well. We are thinking of you, Tom, and family."
Will the game be replayed?
Will Bournemouth vs Luton be replayed and would the match start again from scratch?
The Fa rules suggest that the match could be replayed "in its entirety" which would suggest starting again from 0-0.
It says: "An abandoned match is replayed unless the competition rules or organisers determine otherwise.
"In the event of a competition match not being played or abandoned owing to causes over which neither club has control, it should be played in its entirety on a date to be mutually agreed by the two clubs and approved by the competition.
"Failing such agreement and notification to the competition within [x] days the competition shall have the power to order the match to be played on or before a given date."
But the Premier League rule L.39 states: "The Board may order a League Match which for whatever reason lasts for less than 90 minutes to count as a completed fixture or to be replayed either partially or in its entirety."
Quick-thinking from Edwards
Rob Edwards has been hailed for his quick-thinking reaction after Tom Lockyer's terrifying collapse.
The Luton Town star collapsed after a heart attack in the 59th minute of the Premier League clash with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
Medical staff ran on to treat the defender after he was checked on by the Cherries midfielder Philip Billing.
Manager Edwards was also quick to act as he instantly ran onto the pitch.
The Englishman could be seen waving away the players in order to give Lockyer space.
He could be seen saying "away, away" to players from both sides in order to allow the medics to do their work.
Support flooding in
Tom Lockyer, who was capped 16 times by Wales, has been flooded with support after news broke.
The Wales national team offered their thoughts on X.
Others to write message included Gary Lineker, John Terry and Ashley Young.
Lineker posted: "Reports coming in that Tom Lockyer is now alert and responsive. Thank heavens."
Terry wrote: "Praying for Tom Lockyer."
While Young shared: "Thoughts and Prayers with Tom Lockyer and his family."
Bournemouth's classy response
Bournemouth, Luton's opponents, have released their own well-wishing statement.
It read: "We’re relieved to hear Tom is responsive.
"Our thoughts will continue to be with Tom and his family at this time. We’d like to thank all the medical staff for their quick action as well as everyone inside the stadium for their support and unity during a difficult moment."
Luton Town confirm Lockyer had heart attack
Our medical staff have confirmed that the Hatters captain suffered cardiac arrest on the pitch, but was responsive by the time he was taken off on the stretcher.
He received further treatment inside the stadium, for which we once again thank the medical teams from both sides.
Tom was transferred to hospital, where we can reassure supporters that he is stable and currently undergoing further tests with his family at his bedside.
We would like to thank everyone for their support, concern and loving messages for Locks.
Players applaud the fans
It was a day where football came second.
The players for Luton have gone off, after the game was suspended against Bournemouth.
And their players have given the fans a standing ovation.
Luton Town statement
We all hope and pray for our leader and captain Tom Lockyer, who is thankfully responsive and has been taken to hospital.
We don’t know the full extent of what happened and what the next steps are at this stage, but we thank Bournemouth and the medical staff on both sides for their immediate response, which was absolutely amazing.
We are sorry to all supporters present that players from both sides were in no state of mind to continue with the game after seeing their much-loved team-mate and friend taken off like that, and staff could not carry on with managing the game in such circumstances having had to deal with the situation.
We thank everyone for the wonderful applause and singing of Locks’ name inside the stadium at such a difficult time. Now is the time for all of our players, staff and supporters to come together as we always do and give our love and support to Tom and his family.
Our thoughts are with him and them all.
Lockyer's long journey to Prem
Tom Lockyer has been part of the Wales squad for six years and he was part of Rob Page's squad that picked up just one point in last year's World Cup.
Lockyer did not see any game time in Qatar but he has battled his way into the Premier League the hard way after spells at Charlton and Bristol Rovers.
Players are on the pitch
The two sets of players are out on the field applauding fans who have been superb throughout this incident.
Everyone has shown the utmost respect to Lockyer and his health.
The two sets of players are clearly not happy to continue playing and common sense has prevailed.
Game is cancelled
Bournemouth vs Luton Town has been cancelled.
This match will not be continued today and the Premier League will need to confirm what happens next.
Lockyer is alert and responsive
Tom Lockyer is "alert and is responsive," according to Luton's staff doctor.
Silence at Bournemouth
One fan has tweeted: "Never heard a stadium without a sound. Again big respect for Bournemouth fans, chanting his name. Moments like these we should realise that we're all in this together."
Tom Lockyer collapsed in playoff final
Luton Town ace Lockyer collapsed during the first half of last season's championship playoff final.
He was taken to hospital and was later OK.