CREWE Alexandra football club has announced it has a medical plan in place, dedicated to crowd medical emergencies - in light of recent incidents in stadia across the UK.

Over 20 million supporters attend English Football League fixtures each season.

Earlier this month (March 5), four EFL matches were interrupted by medical emergencies in the stands.

The new phenomenon of games being halted for medical emergencies has caused a stir on social media, with fans questioning whether it is COVID-19 that is causing more medical emergencies or the vaccine.

There has in fact been a long history of supporters dying at football matches, such as a Liverpool fan at a game versus York City in 1985 - a supporter also died at a match between Fulham and Charlton in 2005.

In January, a Fulham supporter died in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest in a Championship match against Blackpool.

Today, Crewe Alexandra alerted fans about health emergency measures at the Mornflake Stadium.

The club posted on its website: "The health and safety of everybody attending matches at Crewe Alexandra is of paramount importance, so fans can be reassured that all clubs have a 'Matchday Medical Plan' with dedicated crowd medical teams in stadia, ready to assist at any point during the match.

"If a supporter becomes unwell at the Mornflake Stadium and requires medical assistance, then we strongly advise that the nearest steward is made aware, who will ensure that the crowd medical team is notified and that appropriate care is provided.

"It is important to note that the responsibilities of crowd medical teams are separate to club medical support teams for players."

For the majority of its long history, football has ignored medical emergencies among fans and carried on.

Stopping matches is a new procedure, aiming to maximise the chances of survival for those suffering from a health emergency.

Crewe added: "Supporters are asked not to alert players or staff on the pitch as in most cases the crowd medical team will be able to provide medical care as the match continues.

"Should a situation arise where there is a need for the match to be halted, a decision will be taken between the crowd medical team, the ground safety team and the match official, with the information relayed to supporters at the ground."

This season, the wellbeing of individual fans has been prioritised like never before.

Since the pandemic, there is a bigger priority to deal with medical emergencies. Referees are now encouraged by governing bodies to halt proceedings, if the advice of the stadium's safety officer deems it is correct to do so.

Crewe Alexandra's statement is in line with the briefing note produced by National events Medicine Advisory Group (NEMAG) in conjunction with the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) and football authorities.

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