Arsenal’s trip to Leeds is SUSPENDED due to a power cut as the referee takes players off the pitch

Leeds‘ home match against Arsenal has been temporarily suspended due to a power cut on Sunday afternoon. 

A couple of minutes had been played in the match, which kicked off at 2pm in Yorkshire, when it became clear the officials were struggling with communication issues.

Eventually, referee Chris Kavanagh took both sets of players off the pitch, to a chorus of boos and angry shouts from fans around Elland Road.

The stadium announcer told supporters the stoppage was due to a ‘power cut’, adding: ‘We are working very hard to resolve these technical issues.’ 

The match is expected to restart at 2.40pm, with players expected out on the pitch shortly to allow them to physically prepare for the game to begin again. 

Kavanagh’s inability to speak to his linesmen made it seem as if it was just a problem with the officials’ microphones which allows them to verbally communicate from across the pitch.

However, there is now concern that there is an electrical power surge which could prevent goal-line technology being used.

So the decision to halt the game is less about being able to use VAR and more about ensuring a level playing field for the whole division.

The view is that it would be potentially unfair for a goal to be scored which could not be verified by goal-line technology when that technology is currently available in all other games being played.

More to follow.