The UEFA Conference League final between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano was interrupted in the first half due to a medical emergency in the crowd. In the 34th minute, the referee informed the players of both groups that the match would be abandoned due to an incident inside the stadium.
With the game tied 0-0, Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla pointed at the Spanish team’s fans, alerted referee Maurizio Mariani, and then sat down on the pitch. The referee then pointed to the clock and signaled a stop before explaining the situation to the captain.
Supporters were then seen being carried out of the stands on stretchers.
HBO Max commentator Adam Summerton explained: “What we’re hearing is that sadly there has been a medical emergency among Rayo Vallecano supporters. It’s understandable that the match has been suspended here, but that information has been passed on to Iñigo Perez and Oliver Glasner.”
“Of course, Lucy (Ward) is two clubs where the relationship with the players and the fans is very strong, but after Palace and the Vallecas region of Madrid this season, we realized that it meant a lot to the players that they represented the region.”
He added, “I pray for the souls of the supporters who were injured in the stands. I hope everyone involved is safe.”
BBC Radio 5 live commentator Paul Robinson added: “The referee is trying to restart the game but the Rayo goalkeeper flatly refuses.”
The stoppage lasted about four minutes, the same amount of time that Leipzig ended in goalless 45 minutes of extra time.
Palace, in Oliver Glasner’s final game in charge, came closest to breaking the deadlock when Tyrick Mitchell needed a smart save from Batala at the back post after receiving a cross from Adam Wharton.
Ahead of the match, Glasner urged his team, who were relegated to the Conference League for violating UEFA’s multi-club rules, to win the game and regain their Europa League spot.
“They gave me a nice goodbye and I said a few words,” the manager said. “Of course I said it would be best to win tomorrow, so the players will be in the Europa League next year and we will get what we deserve this year.”
“I want to see them start on TV with the desire and confidence that they can win the Europa League as well. That’s really gratifying, because I think we’ve created a mindset together that they will succeed in the end.”
