The match between Cardiff and Coventry was stopped due to a strange request from the fans

Will a spare referee stand please?

These may not have been the exact words announced over the tannoy, but Cardiff City had to call for substitutions during their fightback Coventry City after only 17 minutes.

1

Referee Jeff Eltringham started the match with the whistle in hand while James Durkin took over the fourth official duties.

However, Durkin was forced to take over when Eltringham faltered.

With Durkin now in the middle, there was no one left to play fourth umpire.

As a result, a notice in Cardiff City Stadium for a volunteer from the crowd.

A post from Cardiff’s X account read: “A call has also been made at CCS for a qualified fourth referee to assist our new referee.

“You don’t see that every day.”

Head of Coventry Frank Lampard He will be hoping to use the break in action to help his team regain their composure as they fell behind after just six minutes.

The Bluebirds took the lead through Alexander Robertson, who beat a volley from close range.

More to follow…