Assistant referee Rob Smith has been discharged from hospital and is recovering at home having been taken ill during the first half of Middlesbrough’s 1-0 win over West Brom at The Hawthorns on Tuesday night.
Play had been stopped during the seventh minute for Smith to receive medical treatment before he was taken off the field on a stretcher and on to hospital for further examination.
‘Assistant referee Rob Smith has been discharged from hospital and is recovering at home after being taken ill during the first half of the West Brom and Middlesbrough match on Tuesday,’ the EFL said in a statement on Wednesday morning.
‘We would like to thank all those involved in Rob’s care and wish him well.’
Boro went on to secure all three points through Hayden Hackney’s goal with 15 minutes left, as former Sky Bet Championship leaders West Brom slipped to successive defeats.
Assistant referee Rob Smith has been discharged from hospital after falling ill during West Brom’s clash with Middlesbrough in the Championship
The Hawthorns descended into a concerned hush as medics attended to Smith
Play resumed around eight minutes later with Jacob Miles, who was the fourth official, wired up and readied to take on the duties of the assistant refereeÂ
It later emerged Eddie Smart, a member of the home crowd, stood in as fourth official.Â
West Brom’s official X account confirmed the incident shortly after it occurred, posting: ‘There’s a stoppage in play as one of the referee’s assistants receives treatment.’
The medical emergency comes after a Baggies supporter died during Saturday’s match against Sheffield Wednesday.
The club paid tribute to Mark Townsend, who passed away aged 57, before Tuesday night’s match with head coach Carlos Corberan paying tribute to the fan ahead of the game.