Charlton vs Portsmouth suspended after medical emergency in crowd at The Valley, match abandoned after just 12 minutes

Charlton’s Championship clash with Portsmouth has been abandoned due to a medical emergency in the crowd at The Valley. The match was suspended after just 12 minutes on Saturday, December 6, 2025, when referee Matthew Donohue halted play following an incident in the stands.

Match Suspended After Just 12 Minutes

Saturday’s lunchtime encounter at The Valley between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth began normally but took a serious turn early in the first half. The match was goalless when officials detected a medical distress situation developing in the crowd.

Referee Matthew Donohue stopped play after 12 minutes as medical staff rushed to assist. A supporter in the Covered End Lower required immediate attention from stadium medical personnel.

Medical Response and Player Removal

Stadium medical teams immediately provided treatment to the affected supporter as both sets of players watched from the pitch. After five minutes of ongoing treatment, officials decided to remove the players to the dressing rooms.

In the 19th minute, referee Donohue ordered both Charlton and Portsmouth teams off the pitch due to the distressing scenes. Paramedics arrived and continued treatment, eventually transporting the supporter away on a stretcher. Players remained in the dressing room for nearly 40 minutes as officials assessed the situation.

Official Statement and Match Status

Charlton Athletic released an official statement confirming the abandonment. “Due to a medical emergency in the crowd, today’s match has been abandoned,” the club announced through their official channels.

The statement continued: “We thank you for your patience and understanding. Everyone at the club sends their best wishes to the supporter affected and thank our medical team and first responders. Information on when the match will be rescheduled will be announced in due course.”

Context: Both Teams Seeking Victory

Charlton Athletic entered the match in 17th place in the Championship, sitting six points above Portsmouth in the standings. Nathan Jones’ side have been struggling with form, without a win since their narrow victory over West Bromwich Albion last month.

Portsmouth, positioned in the relegation zone at third from bottom, have likewise been battling poor results. Pompey won only one of their last nine games entering this fixture. Lloyd Jones had already received a yellow card before the match suspension occurred in the 12th minute.

What Does Abandonment Mean for the Fixture?

The abandoned match will need to be rescheduled by the EFL Championship authorities. Both Charlton and Portsmouth will have to find a new date to complete their fixture.

Before the match began, both teams observed a minute’s applause for Billy Bonds and Marvin Hinton. Bonds, a former player, recently passed away at age 79, while Hinton died at age 85 earlier in the week. The tribute highlighted the football community’s respect during an otherwise difficult day.

Sources

• talkSPORT – Real-time Championship coverage and match details
• The Sun – Live event reporting and player reaction
• Daily Express – Official statement and medical emergency details

Michael Brown

Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.