During the Wednesday, December 13, 2023, championship clash between Norwich and Sheffield Wednesday, an unusual incident occurred that left the game in suspense for three minutes, as referee Matt Donohue mysteriously vanished.
Around the 60th-minute mark, referee Matt Donohue, apparently struggling with his earpiece, abruptly halted the game before sprinting off the field, resembling a sprinter at the Olympic Games.
The unexpected absence of the match official left fans puzzled and impatient, as whistles and jeers echoed across the stadium, accompanied by some fans shouting.
“Where the f***'s the referee!” a fan vociferously shouted during the unexpected break in play.
After what felt like an eternity, Donohue re-emerged from the Carrow Road tunnels, seemingly unperturbed by the boos and whistles from both sets of supporters.
Despite the disapproval from the crowd, the game resumed around the 60th-minute mark, with some fans continuing to jeer, and one supporter chanting an unsavory remark. "He's had a sh**".
Norwich City confirmed via their official social media account that the referee had briefly left the field to address a malfunctioning radio.
The incident sparked ridicule from various online media, branding the situation as a comedy and embarrassing for the referee.
This marked Matt Donohue's 14th game of the season and his 12th Championship match.
He previously officiated Sheffield Wednesday's 4-2 defeat to Hull City in August, where Ozcan Tufan's hat-trick sealed the Owls' second consecutive loss.
Donohue was also in charge when Sheffield Wednesday drew 0-0 with Huddersfield Town in the 11th round of the Championship season.
This sudden episode didn't sit well with the fans, given the team's recent struggles in encounters where Donohue officiated.
Ultimately, Norwich City claimed victory, securing a win thanks to goals from Ashley Barnes, Borja Sainz, and Jonathan Rowe, while Bailey Cardamateri netted Sheffield Wednesday's solitary goal.
The yellow Canaries came out flying from the blocks as Borja Sainz who was making his first start of the campaign, played just 10 minutes into the start of the game before he introduced himself to the Carrow Road faithful. He shot powerfully to put his side ahead.
Ashely Barnes was the next to go close to doubling his side's lead as his shot cannon off the crossbar from point-blank range.
Danny Rohl's men would get an instant reply as a precise header from Bailey Cardamateri brought the visitors level.
The former Burnley frontman would make no mistake the second time as he finished off a well-worked team goal to give his side a 2-1 lead.
Jonathan Rowe put the final nail in the Owls' coffin as he planted his header past the Sheffield Wednesday goals to compound more woes on the Sheffield Wednesday side.
The Canaries' triumph marked their fourth win in the last six championship games, while Sheffield Wednesday continued their struggles against Norwich, failing to beat them in their last six meetings.
Following the game, Sheffield Wednesday remained in the 23rd position, whereas Norwich City climbed to 11th on the Championship table.
Around the 60th-minute mark, referee Matt Donohue, apparently struggling with his earpiece, abruptly halted the game before sprinting off the field, resembling a sprinter at the Olympic Games.
The unexpected absence of the match official left fans puzzled and impatient, as whistles and jeers echoed across the stadium, accompanied by some fans shouting.
“Where the f***'s the referee!” a fan vociferously shouted during the unexpected break in play.
After what felt like an eternity, Donohue re-emerged from the Carrow Road tunnels, seemingly unperturbed by the boos and whistles from both sets of supporters.
Despite the disapproval from the crowd, the game resumed around the 60th-minute mark, with some fans continuing to jeer, and one supporter chanting an unsavory remark. "He's had a sh**".
Norwich City confirmed via their official social media account that the referee had briefly left the field to address a malfunctioning radio.
The incident sparked ridicule from various online media, branding the situation as a comedy and embarrassing for the referee.
This marked Matt Donohue's 14th game of the season and his 12th Championship match.
He previously officiated Sheffield Wednesday's 4-2 defeat to Hull City in August, where Ozcan Tufan's hat-trick sealed the Owls' second consecutive loss.
Donohue was also in charge when Sheffield Wednesday drew 0-0 with Huddersfield Town in the 11th round of the Championship season.
This sudden episode didn't sit well with the fans, given the team's recent struggles in encounters where Donohue officiated.
Ultimately, Norwich City claimed victory, securing a win thanks to goals from Ashley Barnes, Borja Sainz, and Jonathan Rowe, while Bailey Cardamateri netted Sheffield Wednesday's solitary goal.
The yellow Canaries came out flying from the blocks as Borja Sainz who was making his first start of the campaign, played just 10 minutes into the start of the game before he introduced himself to the Carrow Road faithful. He shot powerfully to put his side ahead.
Ashely Barnes was the next to go close to doubling his side's lead as his shot cannon off the crossbar from point-blank range.
Danny Rohl's men would get an instant reply as a precise header from Bailey Cardamateri brought the visitors level.
The former Burnley frontman would make no mistake the second time as he finished off a well-worked team goal to give his side a 2-1 lead.
Jonathan Rowe put the final nail in the Owls' coffin as he planted his header past the Sheffield Wednesday goals to compound more woes on the Sheffield Wednesday side.
The Canaries' triumph marked their fourth win in the last six championship games, while Sheffield Wednesday continued their struggles against Norwich, failing to beat them in their last six meetings.
Following the game, Sheffield Wednesday remained in the 23rd position, whereas Norwich City climbed to 11th on the Championship table.