Arsenal's last-16 encounter with Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup was disrupted for over eight minutes when a drone was spotted flying above the stadium during the match.
According to BBC Sport, referee Michael Salisbury halted play at one minute and 40 seconds after identifying the unmanned aircraft hovering above the pitch as Arsenal prepared to take a free-kick at Highbury Stadium. The official immediately engaged with management and coaching staff from both teams while police began their investigation into the incident.
This disruption came during Fleetwood Town's historic appearance in the competition. The Lancashire club had reached the last-16 for the first time in their history after defeating Sheffield United 1-0 in the previous round, while Arsenal had progressed by beating Ipswich Town 4-2.
How was play resumed?
Play resumed at the 10-minute mark after authorities located the drone operator, according to commentary from the Sky Sports broadcast. The intervention by police allowed the match to continue without further incident.
Why does this matter?
Drone incursions at sporting events have become a growing concern for match officials and security teams. The swift action by referee Salisbury and the rapid response from police ensured that the disruption, while notable, did not significantly compromise the integrity of the fixture or pose safety risks to players and spectators at the ground.
