EFL Provides Health Update on Linesman who Collapsed during West Brom vs. Middlesbrough
Assistant referee Rob Smith has been discharged from the hospital and is now recovering at home after falling ill during the first half of Middlesbrough’s 1-0 victory over West Brom at The Hawthorns on Tuesday night.
The worrying incident occurred during the seventh minute of the Championship fixture, prompting a halt in play for Smith to receive medical attention. He was then stretchered off the field and taken to the hospital for further evaluation.
In a statement released on Wednesday morning, the EFL confirmed, “Assistant referee Rob Smith has been discharged from the hospital and is recovering at home after being taken ill during the first half of the West Brom and Middlesbrough match on Tuesday.” The league went on to express gratitude to all involved in Smith’s care and wished him a speedy recovery.
Referees’ body PGMOL also expressed their appreciation, stating, “We would like to extend our thanks to both clubs, the paramedics at The Hawthorns, and the staff at Manor Hospital in Walsall for their care of Rob.”
Following the incident, Hayden Hackney’s goal secured a 1-0 win for Middlesbrough as former Sky Bet Championship leaders West Brom suffered back-to-back defeats. The loss leaves West Brom trailing by two points off the top spot after eight league matches, while Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough climbed into the top six.
The EFL’s update on Rob Smith’s health comes as a relief to fans and officials alike, with wishes for his full recovery continuing to pour in.
Thank you for registering! Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in.