Portsmouth ‘devastated’ as fan dies following medical emergency at start of Middlesbrough clash

'DEVASTATED' Portsmouth have announced that a fan died during their Championship clash with Middlesbrough at Fratton Park.

The game was stopped just three seconds after the start due to a medical emergency.

Pompey players immediately alerted the referee, calling for help from their physios when they saw that a spectator had fallen ill.

Medical staff immediately rushed into the Fratton Park crowd, and one of them was seen pumping the chest of the stricken spectator.

Both sets of players kept warm by kicking the ball between each other.

That was until referee Gavin Ward told them to return to the dressing room when the seriousness of the situation was known.

Medical staff spent many minutes pumping the home fan’s chest as stewards shielded the incident in the north stand with white sheets.

But later in the evening Portsmouth confirmed that the fan had passed away.

A club statement read: "Portsmouth Football Club are devastated to report that a Pompey fan has died following a medical emergency at Fratton Park today.

"The incident happened right at the start of the game, with the referee taking the players off the pitch to allow for treatment to be administered.

"Despite the valiant attempts of the emergency services, the supporter unfortunately passed away.

"Next of kin are aware. Our sincere thoughts and condolences go out to the supporter’s family and loved ones at this sad time.

"We are grateful to all the Pompey and Middlesbrough fans inside the stadium for the compassion, patience and understanding they showed in such distressing circumstances."

When the match got back underway after a 20-minute stoppage, Pompey came from behind to secure a shock 2-1 win over play-off-chasing Boro.