Cardiff City v Stoke City halted as players leave pitch and medics rush to emergency

There were concerning scenes at the Cardiff City Stadium as the match between Cardiff and Stoke was halted due to a medical emergency in the stands

Cardiff City's crucial Championship clash with Stoke City at Cardiff City Stadium was brought to a halt due to a suspected medical emergency in the crowd, amid concerning scenes.

Around 10 minutes before half-time, a pocket of supporters in the Ninian Stand could be seen gesturing to referee Michael Salisbury to stop the game, amid what appeared to be a medical emergency near the front of the stand.

Yousef Salech, along with several members of staff could be seen hopping over the advertising boards, and were visibly distressed by the incident, while medical staff then ran over with a stretcher.

The nature of the incident isn't yet clear, but it was deemed serious enough for Salisbury to call the players off the field, with the game stopped for around 15 minutes before later resuming.

Cardiff posted on X at the time: "Play stopped at the moment. Calls from the crowd for medical support in the Ninian Stand, which has swiftly made its way across."

Stoke also tweeted: "Referee Michael Salisbury has instructed the players to leave the field while the supporter continues to receive medical assistance."

The game itself had been finely poised between the two relegation rivals, with Cardiff and Stoke both searching for an opening goal.

Cardiff later posted on social media: "Emergency services are taking the unwell person to hospital. Incredible work from you all. All of our love and thoughts are with you, #Bluebird!"

The visitors then posted a classy reply, which read: "Most importantly, we send our prayers and best wishes to the supporter who has received treatment from both clubs' medical staff and paramedics. The players have returned to the field for a five-minute warm-up before play resumes here."

You can follow live updates from the game, which eventually resumed more than 20 minutes later, here.