Charlton Athletic’s FA Cup clash with Chelsea on Saturday evening was forced to a stop as a result of a medical emergency. Around 10 minutes had been played when the game was halted by Chris Kavanagh, while an emergency announcement at the Valley read: “There is a medical emergency in the crowd. We thank you for your patience.”
TNT Sports commentator Darren Fletcher also explained: “The game is just being momentarily paused here due to a medical situation inside the Valley. That’s the reason why the Chelsea players have gone over to Liam Rosenior and the Charlton players have gone over to the touchline and Nathan Jones.”
He later added: “We hope it’s nothing too serious for the person who’s involved in that here this evening.” After around four minutes, medical staff wheeled a supporter away from the ground as fans inside the stadium, and Rosenior applauded their services.
Play ultimately resumed in the 16th minute of the match. The FA Cup tie came as Rosenior’s first match in charge of Chelsea, having been appointed by the club on Tuesday following the departure of Enzo Maresca.
While the Blues played out a 2-1 loss to Fulham on Wednesday, the game came a little too soon for Rosenior to guide the first-team. As a result, the Englishman watched from the stands while Calum McFarlane instructed from the touchline.
Speaking about his move to the Premier League, Rosenior said: “I am extremely humbled and honoured to be appointed Head Coach of Chelsea Football Club. This is a club with a unique spirit and a proud history of winning trophies.
“My job is to protect that identity and create a team that reflects these values in every game we play as we continue winning trophies. To be entrusted with this role means the world to me and I want to thank all involved for the opportunity and faith in undertaking this job. I will give everything to bring the success this club deserves.
“I believe deeply in teamwork, unity, togetherness and working for one another, and those values will be at the heart of everything we do. They will be the foundation of our success. I am excited to work with this extremely talented group of players and staff, to build strong connections on and off the pitch, and to create an environment where everyone feels united and driven by the same goal.
“There is a real hunger to win, and I will give everything, every single day, to help this team compete and win at the very highest level to make everyone connected and proud to be a part of Chelsea Football Club. I want our fans to be proud of who we are and what we represent in every single game that we play. They are the soul of this enormous, historic and huge football club. I cannot wait to meet you all. I cannot wait to get started.”