Manchester derby is latest game to be held up by medical emergency after fans alerted the players

Manchester City’s match with Manchester United was briefly held up on Sunday due to a medical emergency in the crowd. 

The game was paused in the 35th minute with Manchester City leading 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium.

Worried fans in the South Stand alerted players to the incident and they informed referee Michael Oliver.

Oliver stopped the game and walked to the touchline to speak with the fourth official. 

Manchester City confirmed that the stricken supporter had ‘collapsed’ in the stand behind David De Gea’s goal and was taken to hospital.

The game resumed a few minutes later and City ran out 4-1 winners. 

Former United defender Gary Neville, who was co-commentating on the match for Sky Sports, said he had spoken to referees recently to ask if there was a protocol for medical emergencies during a game.

The game was paused in the 35th minute with Manchester City leading 2-1 at the Etihad

He said: ‘I asked the officials if there was an official protocol and they said there wasn’t.

‘They said basically once the fans alert the players and the players stop, the officials will then obviously stop the match.’

Responding to Neville, commentator Martin Tyler said: ‘The protocol from there is to wait for the head of the medical team to report back.’ 

Worried fans alerted players to the incident and they informed referee Michael Oliver

This season has seen a number of similar incidents occur during games.

Newcastle’s 3-2 defeat to Tottenham in October was suspended for 20 minutes after a fan suffered a cardiac arrest. 

Further incidents have happened in the last few months.

The stricken supporter ‘collapsed’ in the South Stand and was taken to hospital