Linesman forced off in WHEELCHAIR after suffering freak injury in non-league clash

THE National League clash between Barnet and Southend United was forced to stop after a linesman suffered a freak injury.

Echo Chief sports reporter Chris Phillips reported that the linesman had fallen over and sustained an unfortunate injury.

The National League clash between Barnet and Southend was delayed due to a freak injuryRex

X / CJPhillips1982A linesman reportedly fell over just after the half an hour mark[/caption]

X / CJPhillips1982They were then wheeled away from the pitch in a wheelchair after a six-minute stoppage[/caption]

The official went down in the 32nd minute of play as referee Sam Mulhall temporarily stopped play.

This freak injury then caused a six-minute delay in proceedings.

This saw the linesman forced off in a wheelchair after receiving treatment.

Fourth official Constantine Hatzidakis eventually took over responsibility before the match was resumed.

Video footage captured by Phillips from Barnet’s Hive London Stadium showed the official being wheeled off by the side of the pitch in a wheelchair.

The linesmen for the match are Daniel D’Urso and Ross Murphy, though it is not yet clear who was replaced.

The first half ended in with a drab score of 0-0.

One fan on X, formerly known as Twitter, remarked: “Highlight so far is one of the linesman has been taken off injured in a wheelchair.”

Fans at the ground also reportedly poked fun at the official, with reported chants of “Do do do, lino in a wheelchair,” being heard.

The stricken lino also reportedly elected not to respond to fans singing: “Lino Lino give us a wave.”

More to follow.

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