FC Barcelona were making a sensational run in their La Liga campaign with another convincing victory over Cadiz FC last Saturday and have remained unbeaten ever since, but the match was postponed for a few minutes due to a serious emergency on the stand.
The Cadiz goalkeeper was the first person from the pitch to respond to that incident with a fan, and suddenly he, along with another player, became the hero of the moment.
What actually happened at the match between Cadiz and Barcelona?
A supporter having a heart attack in the crowd forced the end of the Saturday’s La Liga 2022–23 match between Barcelona and Cadiz. Barcelona was leading the match 2-0 at the time of the 81st minute break; play resumed after 30 minutes and the Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla stadium in Cadiz, Spain, served as the venue for the game.
Jeremias Ledesma, the goalie for Cadiz, was racing toward the bleachers as the fan was receiving medical care. Players from both sides calmly held their ground as the crisis developed because they recognized how dangerous it was. The stretcher was being carried into the stands at the same time as Cadiz player Jose Maria was observed assisting a staff member.
It is important to note that Ronald Araujo, a player for Barcelona, was also spotted silently praying. According to The Associated Press, Barca players also provided the medical staff with their defibrillator in case it was required. After a ten-minute break, the players were told to go back to their locker room. They returned to the field in the remaining eight minutes of the break.
Speaking at the event, Cadiz disclosed that a medical crew in the stands used a defibrillator to treat the supporter. He was then carried out of the stadium and checked into a nearby hospital. Coach Xavi Hernandez of Barcelona expressed optimism for the player’s quick recovery after the tragedy and he said, “Hope that he gets better.”
Cadiz praised the spectators for their assistance throughout the incident in the interim and stated, “Cadiz would like to thank the exemplary behaviour of the fans during this situation, as well as the members of medical and security teams for their prompt action so that the incident had a happy ending.”
At 9:05 p.m. local time, the game was restarted. Ansu Fati and Ousmane Dembele added to goals from Frenkie de Jong and Robert Lewandowski to help Barca finish the game with a 4-0 victory but at the Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla in Cadiz, the game was stopped in the 82nd minute when Football Club Barcelona leading 2-0.
