Kilmarnock game abandoned
Kilmarnock's Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Hibernian at Rugby Park has been abandoned after a supporter was taken to hospital after receiving medical treatment at the side of the pitch in front of the East Stand.
The incident occurred at the start of the second half with referee Kevin Clancy initially stopping the game, which was tied at 1-1, with five minutes played with the players then going down the tunnel when the seriousness of the situation became clear.
Medical staff from Killie and Hibs were in attendance before an ambulance drove pitchside 10 minutes later with the supporter being taken away before the club confirmed the game had been abandoned due to an off-pitch incident.
Inspector Sean Mangan, the match commander, said: "A supporter was taken ill in the East Stand, possibly a Kilmarnock fan. Ambulance staff and club doctors have been assisting with that male, he has now gone off to the hospital in the ambulance.
"It is looking like a possible suspected heart attack but of course I am not a medical professional to absolutely tell you that is the case but it is certainly serious enough that the club, in conjunction with the police and the SPL fourth official, have decided out of respect for the male and possibly his family that the match would be abandoned."
In March 2012, Killie's League Cup-winning celebrations following their victory over Celtic at Hampden were cut short following the death of midfielder Liam Kelly's father.
After paramedics worked to revive him, Jack Kelly was rushed to the Victoria Infirmary and died within hours of the final whistle.
A month later an Inverness fan collapsed and died in the Frank Beattie Stand midway through the second-half of a game against Killie.
Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels revealed he and Hibs manager Pat Fenlon both wanted the game abandoned as a mark of respect for the fan.
He said: "We need to show respect to the relevant families and we don't know what the outcome is.
"As you know we have been through that three times in just over a year. An Inverness fan lost his life and then Liam Kelly's father.
"Football is not as important as human life so we have shown our respect and hopefully everything turns out okay.
"I heard the supporters shouting to kick the ball out and then we have seen our medical team going across and we found out what it was.
"The fourth official came and told me we need to stop the game.
"It seems to be pretty serious, a heart attack we were told.
"We waited a while to see if they could bring him round and continue the game but obviously it was quite serious so Pat Fenlon and I both agreed that the game should be abandoned.
"We were asked for our views on it, the officials and the match delegate (Frank Coulston) were very good.
"There is no decision (about replayed game), we are thinking Wednesday week, the 15th of May, that is not a definite but the most likely date."
Killie chairman Michael Johnston added: "Obviously there was a serious health incident involving one of our supporters, a long-standing season-ticket holder.
"We had all the relevant medical teams on hand to issue emergency first aid. It is a suspected heart attack and the victim has been removed to hospital and we don't have any further news than that.
"Obviously our thoughts are with him and his family and we hope he will make a recovery.
"It is a sad occasion for everybody."
Source: PA
