Why Millwall vs Sunderland was suspended for nearly 30 minutes

The Championship clash between Millwall and Sunderland at the Den was halted for nearly 30 minutes in the first half on Saturday afternoon. The high-stakes match saw in-form Millwall hosting the table-topping Black Cats, one of the most anticipated games outside the top tier.

However, by 5pm, while all other Championship matches had concluded, the game at the Den was still underway. This was due to a near half-hour interruption during the first half of the London-based match.

With five minutes remaining in the first half, players from both teams were escorted off the pitch by the referee following not one, but two medical emergencies among the spectators at the Den. At the time, league leaders Sunderland were ahead with a 1-0 lead.

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Medical personnel swiftly attended to a fan as players were led off the field in the 43rd minute at The Den. Millwall's medical team, aided by paramedics, transferred the affected supporter onto a stretcher and whisked them away for further treatment, earning applause from the crowd.

It later transpired that medics were also attending to another medical emergency in a different section of the stadium. After almost 30 minutes off the field, the players returned to finish the final five minutes of the first half before retreating down the tunnel for half-time, reports Football London. The second half of play resumed just after 4.30pm.

Millwall Football Club took to Twitter, stating: "The players have left the pitch following a medical emergency in the crowd. We send our best wishes to those receiving attention."

Sunderland were denied victory late on when substitute Femi Azeez’s first goal for Millwall cancelled out Aaron Connolly’s 10th-minute opener.