Drone forces eight-minute stoppage in Fleetwood-Arsenal Carabao Cup tie
Arsenal's Carabao Cup last-16 match at Fleetwood Town was halted for more than eight minutes after a drone was spotted above Highbury Stadium.
Arsenal's Carabao Cup last-16 match at Fleetwood Town was stopped for more than eight minutes after a drone was flown above the stadium during the game. Referee Michael Salisbury halted play with one minute and 40 seconds on the clock, with Arsenal preparing to take a free-kick at Highbury Stadium.
During the interruption, the referee consulted management and staff on both benches, and police were also investigating the incident. Play resumed with 10 minutes on the clock, leaving the match paused for over eight minutes in total.
A Sky commentator said police had located the drone operator, though no further details on the operator or any action taken were provided in the source. The article did not include the final score or any other details of the match itself.
The delay adds to a growing list of drone-related interruptions at football grounds, where devices flown over stadiums can force officials to pause play on safety grounds. Neither club had commented publicly in the immediate aftermath, according to the available report.
Supporters at the ground and watching on television were left waiting through the stoppage, with the source making clear that details beyond the referee's decision to stop play and the resumption after the drone operator was reportedly found were still to follow.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
