Assistant referee Humberto Panjoj collapsed on the field during the Canada vs Peru group match, apparently due to the hot conditions.
According kansascity.comCanadian goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau ran to help Panjoj, who was out of sight of everyone else on the field when a corner kick occurred at the other end.
“Out of the corner of my eye I saw him fall,” Crepeau said. “At that moment, football doesn’t matter.”
The heat index hovered around 100 degrees during the first half of the game, which began at 5 p.m.
The side of the field where Panjoj officiated was directly in the sun. “I was glad he was conscious,” Crepeau said. “I got the news that he is fine now, so thank God. But we have to address that.”
Crepeau noted that he also did not take a water break after the 30th minute of the game, which is common in very hot conditions.
“I don’t care what people say, the health of the people on the field (players and officials) is something that has to be examined,” Crepeau said.
It also extended to the fans. The stands at the Cauldron end (Sporting KC fan section), usually packed, saw fans crowded on one side, which was in the shade, with fans opting to stay out of the sun.
They inched forward to fill the section as the sun set and shadow finally began to cover the section. Other fans went to the concourses while their sections were in the sun.
“I can only imagine what it would look like on TV or how the fans would see it because it didn’t really feel like a football (game) there,” Canadian defender Alistair Johnston said.
“It’s one of those types of games where you wouldn’t wish the conditions on your worst enemy.”
