By Deborah Nnamdi
A 72-year-old Brighton & Hove Albion supporter has died after suffering a medical emergency during the second half of the club’s Premier League match against Fulham at the Amex Stadium.
The fan, seated in the upper tier of the East Stand, received prolonged CPR and defibrillation from medical staff on-site. Despite their best efforts, and those of emergency services and club personnel, he sadly passed away shortly after the final whistle. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Brighton chief executive Paul Barber said:
“This was an incredibly sad end to the match this afternoon. Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the family and friends of the gentleman who lost his life.
“We are also mindful of the emotional impact on those nearby, and we’ll ensure proper support is available in the coming days.”
Medical staff chose not to transfer the man to the hospital immediately, believing on-site treatment offered the best chance of survival. Privacy screens were set up, and safety officials—including Sussex Police and Premier League representatives—considered suspending the match. However, the club later explained that most fans and players were unaware of the situation, and stopping the game could have complicated the emergency response.
Club doctor and emergency medicine consultant Dr. Rob Galloway praised the response, saying:
“It was a tragic outcome, but the medical care delivered was exemplary. The professionalism of stewards and Sussex Police created the best possible environment for the medical team to work.”
Brighton encouraged anyone affected by the incident to seek support, highlighting services such as Samaritans (116 123) and Young Minds (text 85258).
On the field, Matt O’Riley gave Brighton the lead with a second-half penalty before Rodrigo Muniz equalised for Fulham deep into stoppage time.
