LEICESTER CITY’S Premier League clash with Southampton was DELAYED for 12 minutes after the referee was forced to go off for treatment.
Ref David Webb – who was replaced on his Prem debut – fell to the deck holding his face after Jordan Ayew collided with him as he ran past.
The unfortunate incident happened in the 33rd minute after Jamie Vardy scored Leicester’s first goal at home since December 8.
But Webb couldn’t have endured a worse Premier League refereeing debut.
The official dropped to the turf and held his face for several seconds after catching the shoulder of Leicester star Ayew in the middle of the pitch.
And Leicester captain Vardy felt compelled to step in as he bent down to lift Webb’s arm to blow the whistle.
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In fact, Vardy blew the whistle while it was still in Webb’s hand as he laid on the pitch face down.
Vardy – who scored his 199th goal for Leicester – then instantly walked off, before physios stormed the pitch to come to the official’s aid.
Webb came back to his feet after a few minutes before heading down the tunnel for a concussion check at the King Power Stadium.
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With play formally suspended thanks to Vardy’s intervention, both sets of players were milling around on the pitch waiting.
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And Webb couldn’t continue the rest of the game, so fourth official Sam Barratt was subbed in to resume play after the lengthy delay.
A commentator said: “Webb is said to be OK and is under observation.”
Referee’s delegate Phil Sharp was forced to step in as the fourth official during the unprecedented scenes.
And it was Ayew who then extended relegated Leicester’s lead in the 44th minute.
The former Crystal Palace star’s free-kick hit the wall from 25 yards, before he hammered in a half-volley into the bottom left corner.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
