When Bournemouth and Southampton played their midweek Premier League game at the Vitality Stadium on Tuesday night, referee Mike Dean blew the whistle for half-time a little before the stipulated injury-time was over. The reason? Fourth official Kevin Friend had collapsed on the sidelines.
Friend not only collapsed but he also went face first into the dugout and suffered a bloodied nose. The 44-year-old was immediately treated by the medical staff from both clubs.
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He was soon sitting up in the tunnel while receiving treatment before they decided it was best he be moved to a hospital. He was kept there overnight under observation as a precautionary measure.
The second half was delayed by five minutes as they needed to replace Friend for the second half. Luckily, there was a non-league referee in the crowd and he was called in to replace Friend.
Dean Treleaven had come to watch the match as a spectator and was asked to get into the referee’s kit before the start of the second half. He is a Conference referee and had recently officiated a match in the fifth tier of English football.
Both managers saw Friend collapse near the dugout
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe explained the incident when he was asked about it after the game. He also wished him a speedy recovery.
“I just saw him collapse near us,” the Cherries boss said. “I didn’t see him before it. I saw him very dazed and shaken afterwards.
“Medical people from both sides looked after him. We obviously wish him well, but I’m not entirely sure what went on.”
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman also saw the incident and spoke about how Friend was not aware of his surroundings for a few seconds.
“I was on the bench and he came to us and he fell against the dugout, with his nose, and then fell to the ground,” Koeman recalled.
“I don’t know his situation now, but he for maybe five seconds he was out of everything.”
Bournemouth eventually won the match 2-0.
