Referee Peter Bankes took the players off the pitch
Brentford’s Premier League match against Wolves was suspended after an unofficial drone was spotted flying over the Brentford Community Stadium.
The game was halted in the 28th minute after the referee spotted a drone flying above the pitch – which led to the players exiting the field.
Sky Sports’ Ben Grounds, reporting from the Brentford Community Stadium, said: “What a strange half. Now play has been halted because there is an unofficial drone above the pitch here at the stadium. Referee Peter Bankes now summons the players off the pitch. Boos ring out here. Conor Coady looks bemused. The fans aren’t happy at all. It’s cold. Get it gone.”
Brentford took to Twitter to announce that the players were still in the changing rooms due to the presence of the drone.
🚁 Nothing more to report … the players are still off due to the unauthorised drone
Anyone got any good jokes to pass the time?
🐝 0-0 🐺 #BrentfordFC #BREWOL https://t.co/AjUf2OZL17
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) January 22, 2022
Ed Aarons, reporter for The Guardian, revealed that the stadium announcer said: “
Stadium announcer says 'don't blame us, blame the drone.'
— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) January 22, 2022
The game was also stopped in the 20th minute when Mathias Jensen and Rico Henry smashed into each other, causing a clash of heads which led to both players bleeding.
Henry was replaced by Mads Roerslev following the collision and Jensen was taken off for Shandon Baptiste.
As both players were replaced by concussion substitutions, Wolves were permitted to make five changes in the game, while Brentford were still allowed to make the usual three.
Once the drone had been cleared, play was able to resume – with the players conducting a short warm-up before getting back underway.
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