Drone stops play during Arsenal’s clash with Fleetwood: Police forced to intervene as Carabao Cup tie is suspended for nearly 10 minutes in bizarre scenes
Arsenal’s Carabao Cup tie against Fleetwood Town was halted for nearly ten minutes after a drone was spotted hovering over the pitch.
The drone was spotted just minutes into the match at Fleetwood’s Highbury Stadium.
Referee Michael Salisbury halted play as Arsenal prepared to take a corner, before an extended delay.
Both teams began passing balls between themselves as the sides looked to remain warm while they awaited further information.
The referee was then seen in discussion with both managers on the touchline, before appearing to signal for both sets of players to make their way off the pitch.
While discussions continued between players and the official, police reportedly identified the drone operator, with the intervention allowing the cup tie to resume.
Arsenal’s Carabao Cup tie against Fleetwood Town was halted due to a drone hovering above the stadium
Play was delayed for over eight minutes after the drone was spotted at Highbury Stadium
Referee Michael Salisbury was seen informing Fleetwood boss Matt Lawlor and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta about the delay in play
Both sets of players looked set to be taken off the pitch, but play was able to resume after the drone operator was discovered
The bizarre situation had led to a delay of over eight and a half minutes.
The Football Association website outlines that the guidance for referees is to halt matches in the event a drone is spotted above the pitch.
‘Upon the sighting of a drone above a football pitch/stadium, the Referee should stop the game and advise both team captains and managers that play will not continue until the drone has passed, or left the vicinity of the players and spectators,’ the guidance reads.
‘Where appropriate speak to the safety officer of the home team to take their advise on the matter.
‘If the drone is not passing or appearing to leave, where possible the Referee should advise both teams to return to the changing room, similar to if there was lighting. At grounds where this is not possible (open playing fields, public parks etc.), the referee continues to wait until the drone has left.
‘It is not within a Match Officials remit to dictate where a drone can/cannot be flown.
‘Where drones are used for filming and media purposes, the drone must not fly above the playing area once players have entered the field of play to warm-up and until the players leave post-match having cooled down.’
Arsenal were stunned shortly after play resumed, with Aaron Loupalo-Bi putting League Two Fleetwood ahead in the fourth round tie.
