Fleetwood-Arsenal halted for eight minutes because of drone

Arsenal’s Carabao Cup match at Fleetwood Town was stopped for more than eight minutes after a drone flew over the pitch during play. The interruption delayed a high-profile fixture and prompted the referee to consult both teams while police investigated.

Referee Michael Salisbury halted the game with 1 minute 40 seconds played, as Arsenal prepared to take a free-kick; play resumed when the drone flew away, with the clock showing 10 minutes. A commentator later said police had located its operator, and the drone fell in a nearby housing estate. Seven minutes were added to the first half, in line with FA guidance that play should stop until a drone has left the area.