EFL make decision on the abandoned game between Leyton Orient and Lincoln

The EFL make decision on the abandoned game between Leyton Orient and Lincoln City after it was stopped following a medical emergency.

The league order a full replay of the League One fixture after the original match was abandoned in the 84th minute on the 3rd of October 2023.

Sadly, it was confirmed that week that life-long O’s supporter Derek Reynolds had died after being attended to by medical staff at the game.

Following the tragic passing of life-long O’s supporter Derek Reynolds at Brisbane Road and the subsequent abandonment of the fixture versus Lincoln City on October 3, Leyton Orient can confirm that the fixture will be replayed in full.#LOFC #OneOrient

— Leyton Orient FC (@leytonorientfc) October 16, 2023

EFL STATEMENT:

The EFL Board has determined that the Sky Bet League One fixture between Leyton Orient and Lincoln City should be replayed in full following its abandonment on Tuesday 3 October.

The game was called off after the referee had taken the players off the pitch in the 84th minute when he was made aware of a medical emergency occurring in the stands, which unfortunately resulted in the passing of Leyton Orient supporter Derek Reynolds.

Having considered all relevant factors relating to the decision taken by the match officials and club stadium staff on the night, alongside the options available to them in accordance with the Regulations, the Board felt the most appropriate course of action was to reschedule the fixture in full.

A new date for the game will be announced by the Clubs in due course.

LEYTON ORIENT:

Leyton Orient can confirm that the abandoned League One fixture versus Lincoln City on Tuesday 3 October will be replayed in full.

We once again would like to thank Derek’s fellow supporters and medical professionals, from the club’s on-site paramedics and doctors, Lincoln City and the London Ambulance Service for their efforts on October 3. For any supporters who were affected by the events, you can contact the helpline at MIND for support on 0300 123 3393.

LINCOLN CITY:

The EFL have decided that City’s Sky Bet League One game against Leyton Orient will be replayed.

The original fixture on Tuesday 3 October was abandoned due to a medical emergency. Orient supporter Derek Reynolds sadly passed away that evening, despite the efforts of the home club’s medical staff and emergency services, after suffering a heart attack at the game.

City have paid tribute to Derek with a brick recently installed on the memorial wall at the LNER Stadium in his honour.

A date for the rearranged game will be confirmed in due course

For any supporters who were affected by the events at the match, you can contact the helpline at Samaritians for support on 116 123.

Social media users gave their reaction as the EFL make a decision on the abandoned game between Leyton Orient and Lincoln…

@DavidMegicks: What a joke

@Wheeler_6: I see it’s all about the @EFL again.

@fox_retired: Absolutely 💩 decision but what do you expect from the EFL and FA 🤦🏻‍♂️😤

@rayverma: Shambolic decision, @SkyBetLeagueOne and the @FA. This should be an automatic home win, given @leytonorientfc were 1-0 up with 82 minutes on the clock. If the fixture is to be replayed, it should be restarted with the lead intact, with 8 minutes plus any stoppages left. #LOFC

@AlfieHoward14: EFL deciding to fuck us again 👍

@LFCLewis_F1: Wrong decision here, awful.

@Mr_Aaron_23: I’m a Lincoln City fan and I think this is the wrong decision

@SChurchett: Fuck the EFL – Orient end up losing the fixture that’ll be pretty disrespectful to Derek Reynolds. Could’ve at least just restarted from where we left off and played out last 10-12mins at 1-0. No one would’ve complained or argued at honouring the 82mins already played!!

@Jay_H2004: Fuck the EFL

@Redimp73: Really surprised at this , presumed , and thought the right thing to do would be to honour the result …we could have played another hour and I don’t think the result would have been different

@Boatzy: Wrong decision

@ClarkixC: that is fucking bollocks. fuck the efl.

@DaveBru47976911: It’s taken them that long to come to that conclusion.

@theoccasional1: Did anyone think the Efl would anything remotely that would favour us

@NJPWNXTROH: An absolute joke.

@JonLeighOoker: Not happy with that.

@ContraryImp: I think that is disappointing

@Redimp73: Did we as a club have any input into this decision? Surely the right thing to do was honour the original result ? We could have played an extra hour that night and still wouldn’t have got an equaliser

@JackMulhall92: Relatively unpopular opinion but I do think this is the best of a bad group of options. In a game where even goal difference is important, being nice sadly wouldn’t cover football integrity come May. I would be all for letting them go 1-0 up.

@Mr_Aaron_23: Disappointed but not surprised, I still believe we should’ve let Leyton Orient have the win but it seems like this was the EFL’s decision and not Lincoln City’s, once again rest in peace Derek Reynolds and my thoughts are with your family and friends during this difficult time

@george_bass_uk: I don’t know how to feel about this. It would have been fair for the EFL to honour the original score as so much of the game had already been played. Especially out of respect for what happened.

@martinrblow: Common sense doesn’t prevail in the Football League.

@AlanJohnson83: All us Lincoln fans think that’s wrong too.