West Bromwich Albion have written to the English Football League asking that it investigate events surrounding the death of a supporter during the Championship fixture at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
Mark Townsend, 57, died after a medical emergency in the stands. A number of West Brom fans at the match have been critical of the circumstances of the tragedy, and particularly of the time it took for Townsend to receive medical treatment.
Albion have said they will work with Sheffield Wednesday, who are conducting their own investigation, but have also written to the league to express concern. They are understood to believe that a coroner’s inquest will be necessary to establish an accurate account of what transpired.
Townsend’s brother, Steve, said in a post on X that his heart had been “truly broken” by his brother’s death, and claimed paramedics had taken 15 minutes to reach the top tier of the West Stand where away fans are stationed. “My son had to watch my brother pass away and lose an uncle, and is left with those memories, I have had to break the news to my parents and his wife,” Townsend wrote.
Attempts to give CPR to Townsend were initiated by a West Brom fan who was an off-duty paramedic, after there was no immediate response from on-site medical teams. Supporters also complained of a lack of an accessible defibrillator, and that attempts to get officials to stop the match in order to speed up treatment went unheeded.
A spokesperson for Yorkshire ambulance service NHS trust said: “Medical cover for spectators at Sheffield Wednesday Football Club is provided by a private company and their staff were first on scene at this emergency. Yorkshire ambulance service is contracted by the club to provide medical cover for the players. A critical care paramedic and emergency ambulance were subsequently dispatched to the scene to assist with the incident.”
A Sheffield Wednesday spokesperson said: “The club continue to liaise with West Bromwich Albion and all relevant parties as we collectively establish the full circumstances regarding this tragic loss of life. We echo absolutely the request of West Bromwich Albion that Mr Townsend’s family are allowed to grieve privately.”
West Brom have confirmed there will be a tribute paid to Townsend during the club’s Championship fixture at home to Middlesbrough on Tuesday night. Carlos Corberán’s side, who lead the division, will wear black armbands and supporters have been invited to join a 57th-minute round of applause.
The EFL said it had received the correspondence from West Brom and would work with both clubs to gather information and observations, a process it said was customary in the event of such a tragedy.
Wednesday have issued a lifetime ban to an individual responsible for an “abhorrent” social media post related to Townsend’s death. “The individual has been charged by the police and will face the full force of the law,” the club said.
