Curious game stoppage at Leeds vs Arsenal: referee communication fails

Created: 10/16/2022, 5:38 p.m

By: Stefan Schmid

In the Premier League game between Leeds and Arsenal, the game is stopped by the referee shortly after kick-off.

A partial power failure is to blame.

Leeds – In the match between Leeds United and Arsenal FC at Elland Road stadium, referee Christopher Kavanagh stopped the game in the second minute.

The referee was unable to get in touch with his assistant through the headset, nor with the VAR.

The game has been paused until the issue is resolved.

During the break, viewers were able to get a glimpse of the stadium's software.

Leeds vs Arsenal: Fixed power cut after around 40 minutes

It does happen that football games are interrupted due to riots by spectators or the failure of the floodlights, but now a new chapter in the book of interruptions has probably been written.

A power failure was the reason Leeds v Arsenal the referee stopped the game after 69 seconds.

However, this did not affect the lighting of the stadium, but the means of communication of the referee team.

Referee Kavanagh attempts to resolve the issue with the help of a Leeds United official.

© IMAGO/Anna Gowthorpe/Shutterstock

Referee Kavanagh found shortly after kick-off that he was unable to contact the Premier League's video cellar, nor could he communicate with his assistant on the touchline via headset.

Reason enough for the referee to ask the players into the cabin for the time being.

It took nearly 40 minutes to fix the power issue confirmed by the clubs and allow the encounter to continue with a throw-in from the hosts.

Fans get a glimpse of stadium software at Leeds United

While the spectators in the stands waited for the players to re-enter the field, they could take a look at the stadium's control center via the stadium screen.

As can be seen in a tweet, the screens showed the desktop surface of a PC, which is probably responsible for controlling the stadium technology.

However, it is unclear whether this was a consequence of the power failure or was used to solve the problem.

Despite the glimpses, the fans must have been happy when the game started again.

The same will also apply to ex-Leipzig coach and current Leeds coach Jesse Marsch.

Thomas Tuchel was also active as a coach in the Premier League until the beginning of September, but now he apparently feels called to higher positions and is looking to the job of coaching the Three Lions.