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Update given on hospitalised assistant referee Rob Smith after being taken ill during EFL match

An update has been given on the hospitalised assistant referee Rob Smith after being taken ill during an EFL match on Tuesday night.

He appeared to faint on the touchline just 7 minutes into the Championship match between West Brom and Middlesbrough at The Hawthorns, getting stretchered off by medics with the game stopped for 8 minutes before the referee was able to resume play.

The fourth official Eddie Smart took over as the replacement assistant referee, while Smith was taken to a nearby hospital for further treatment.

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West Brom wrote via Twitter: “The game is back underway. Our best wishes are with assistant referee Rob Smith, who cannot continue after receiving medical treatment.”

Middlesbrough said: “The game has now restarted. We send our very best wishes to assistant referee Rob Smith, who is unable to continue officiating tonight.”

They added the following day: “The best wishes of all at MFC are with last night’s assistant referee, Rob Smith. Rob was unable to continue after receiving medical treatment early in the game and we wish him the speediest of recoveries.”

A spokesperson for the PGMOL later said: “Rob’s in hospital having tests, we’ll know more in the morning.”

On Wednesday morning, they wrote: “We are pleased to update that assistant referee Rob Smith has been discharged from hospital and is recovering at home. Rob underwent tests after being taken ill during the first half of the Sky Bet Championship fixture between @WBA and @Boro on Tuesday evening. 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.”

The EFL tweeted: “Assistant referee Rob Smith has been discharged from hospital and is recovering at home after being taken ill during the first half of the West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough match on Tuesday.
We would like to thank all those involved in Rob’s care and wish him well.”

It was a poignant night with everyone in the stadium also paying tribute to West Brom fan Mark Townsend who sadly died after a medical emergency during West Brom’s game against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on Saturday.

West Brom fans rose from their seats and done a planned minute of applause in memory of Mark, a season ticket holder.

Players worse black armbands in response to the tragedy, while a shirt with Townsend’s name and age was placed on his seat for the game.

The game played out to a 1-0 win for Middlesbrough, Hayden Hackney scoring the winner in the 73rd minute to hand the Baggies a second straight defeat. West Brom failed to make the most of their chances.

It means that ahead of Wednesday’ matches, Middlesbrough sit 6th with 14 points from 8 games, while West Brom are 3rd with 16 points.

West Brom’s Carlos Corberan said per Sky Sports: “It’s important for us to improve on this because we didn’t find a clear chance or right way to finish our attacks.

“I believe in the quality of my players but this is a question we need to find the answer to. We didn’t do enough good things and didn’t finish our attacks well today.

“We didn’t find a way to create the same danger as them.

“I think our team is capable of competing in games, even in the ones we have lost it’s been by one which means we are close.”

Middlesbrough’s Michael Carrick: “We had to be at our best and I thought we were.

“This one had a bit of an extra edge, it’s a tough place to come. We haven’t had much success here the couple of times I’ve been here and they’re a good team and will be up near the top come the end of the season.

“We looked dangerous and had chances early on, it was a fantastic goal when it came and I thought the lads got their rewards for all their good play.

“It’s (the clean sheet) as pleasing as anything. As a team we are all buying into it, all working for each other. To have success in this league you have to defend well, tonight was for the boys to show the importance of the other side of our game.”

Twitter users gave their reaction with an update given on the hospitalised assistant referee Rob Smith after being taken ill during the EFL match…

@owen_wba23: He’s okay. Completely froze and couldn’t move. Feeling dizzy and couldn’t function. Taken to Walsall manor hospital as a precaution but he’s okay.

@cjames203: Speedy recovery fella

@TheGothSpecial1: Not the result we wanted onto the next one, all the best on the recovery of Rob Smith the assistant referee who fell ill early on in the game and most importantly The memory of the Albion fan Mark Townsend who tragically died at the weekend #wba

@BobP9000: Hope he’s ok, bit worrying that he just seemed to feel unwell and then collapse.

@pat4wba: Excellent from the ref. Blew straight away stopped the game. Quick medical attention. Good work all round

@ManofSteel1821: Get well soon Rob!

@Titch_7: Hope he’s ok

@EddieBurfi: Hope it’s nothing serious. Well done the ref for getting help straight away.

@ElkinsDenis: All the best Rob

@JohnmjtJt1919: Hope he’s ok

@JamesBeal1993: Wishing Rob Smith a speedy recovery

@Stephen26028312: Best wishes

@Croasy: good to hear! and well done to all involved in his care!

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