League One clash stopped after linesman suffers freak injury – then fourth official replacement ’causes chaos’

11 months ago 70

LEYTON ORIENT’S clash with Wycombe had to be suspended due to a freak injury suffered by the linesman.

The assistant referee pulled up with a muscle injury during the opening 20 minutes of the League One match on Friday.

Orient confirmed a break in play on social media as the fourth official prepared to take over from the stricken linesman.

However, they later wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Still waiting. Think the Fourth has left his boots in the changing room. Chaos.”

Once the fourth official was able to take to the touchline, the match resumed after a few minutes.

At the time of the incident, the two sides were still level at 0-0 just 18 minutes into the contest.

The two sides came into the match in the bottom half of the table following the Boxing Day fixtures.

A win for the home side at Brisbane Road could see them move into the top half.

Meanwhile, the Chairboys were chasing a crucial three points as they look to move away from the relegation zone.

Matt Bloomfield’s side found themselves five points above the drop zone after Tuesday’s 1-0 loss at Exeter.

Friday’s stoppage comes after a similar incident in the Championship earlier this month.

Fans were left bemused after the referee disappeared down the tunnel during Norwich’s win over Sheffield Wednesday on December 13.

Matt Donohue was forced off the pitch to fix an equipment malfunction shortly before the hour mark.