Premier League game comes to a stop after player collapsed on the pitch

A Premier League game between AFC Bournemouth and Luton Town was stopped after Luton captain Tom Lockyer appeared to collapse on the pitch.

Players rushed over to try and help, while Luton manager Rob Edwards raced onto the pitch as Lockyer went down.

Football commentator Gary Taphouse has said that the Bournemouth staff doctor has since confirmed that Lockyer is now 'alert and responsive'.

Lockyer collapsed well away from the ball in the 62nd minute of the match with the score at 1-1, and players immediately called for medical professionals to come and help Tom.

Edwards came on and appeared to gesture to the worried players to clear a path for the medical staff, with some on the pitch praying for Lockyer's recovery.

Play was suspended with both teams returning to the changing rooms, and a decision has now been made to call the game off.

Lockyer received treatment on the pitch before being taken off on a stretcher, with the crowd at the Vitality Stadium applauding the Luton captain off.

Both teams have since stepped back onto the pitch to applaud the assembled supporters, who made their support for both teams clear at this difficult time, with managers Edwards and Andoni Iraola shaking hands.

The Luton captain had previously collapsed on a football pitch earlier this year during the club's play-off final against Coventry City at Wembley Stadium in May.

During that game, Lockyer was stretchered off the pitch and taken to hospital, he later had heart surgery and in June was given the clearance to return to the football pitch.

The fixture between AFC Bournemouth and Luton Town has been suspended.

All our thoughts are with Tom Lockyer at this time. 🧡 pic.twitter.com/cBQhMC5EHu

— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) December 16, 2023

After that game Tom Lockyer's Luton Town teammates paraded a replica of his shirt around Wembley to show support for him.

Messages of support for Lockyer have come pouring in from all over the footballing world.

Match of the Day host Gary Lineker welcomed the news that the 29-year-old was 'alert and responsive' after collapsing.

Former Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea wrote 'Tom Lockyer' accompanied by the praying emoji on social media.

Other clubs including Leicester City, Brentford and Everton have extended their best wishes to Luton Town and their support to Lockyer.

AFC Bournemouth have also sent their thoughts to Lockyer and Luton Town.

According to the BBC's live coverage of today's (16 December) Premier League action, fans in the stadium sang Lockyer's name following the announcement that the game has been called off.