The 2024 Copa America match betweens Peru and Canada was thrown into chaos as the one of the match referee collapsed while the game was on, MySportDab reports.
In viral footage on social media, Canada goalkeeper Maximie Crepeau could be seen signalling for a quick medical attention for the referee who was lying flat on the ground in a frightening scene.
Following Maxime’s call, medical officers quickly took to the field to assist the game official, who was later identified as Humberto Panjoj from Guatemala.
He was a second official, working as an assistant referee in the match before the sad incident occured. Following the incident, the match was temporarily halted before it was continued a few minutes later.
Panjoj was up to his feet when the medical officials arrived. However, he had to be assisted off the field on a stretcher for full medical attention.
The incident occured in the added time of first half when the match was still goalless and Panjoj was applauded by the fans as he was hurled of the pitch.
It has yet to be determined what led to the frightening incident but there are suggestions the temperature at Kansas City during the match must have hit the Guatemalan official hard. During the match, temperatures skyrocketed to as high as 100 degrees Celsius.
After the little mishap which saw the game halted, actions resumed when Panjoj was off the field.
The first half ended 0-0 with the two sides unable to find the back of the net. The second half nearly followed a similar trajectory before Canada finally broke the deadlock. Jonathan David scored in the 74th minute to give the Canada the lead.
The win saw the Canadians go second in the group with 3 points behind Argentina, who are top with 6 points after two matches.
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