An issue at the Gtech Community Stadium with its water supply meant that Brentford vs Spurs in the Premier League was delayed - despite players coming out ready for kickoff
Referee Robert Jones speaks with Thomas Frank, Manager of Brentford, prior to the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Tottenham Hotspur
Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur players were made to wait to get their Premier League seasons underway - due to a lack of water!
Kickoff at the Gtech Community Stadium for Ange Postecoglou’s Premier League debut in the Spurs dugout was due to be at 2pm.
But after the players from both sides entered the field ready to get started, the match officials were told of an issue with the water supply at the stadium - potentially offering a “health hazard”. No water was coming into the stadium, therefore leading to potential sanitation issues around the ground.
A statement issued from Brentford to supporters declared: “Please be aware that we are currently dealing with an issue in relation to the water supply into the stadium which is affecting all related facilities.”
After a seven-minute delay, play got underway in the first game of Spurs’ post-Harry Kane era. However, it did so with the water issue having not being fixed - but officials at the ground believed it was best to start the game, believing the issue would eventually be sorted.
Sixteen minutes after the scheduled kickoff time - and within 10 minutes of the game getting underway - it was announced that the issue had been resolved.
Aaron Hickey of Brentford passes the ball whilst under pressure from Heung-Min Son (
Image:
2023 Getty Images)
During the delay, Spurs players, in a notable show of togetherness, gathered for a pre-match huddle in front of the travelling supporters.
Clinton Morrison, summarising for BBC Radio 5 Live, said: “ Tottenham fans have been disgruntled for the last couple of years and they will want to get this new era without Harry Kane off to a good start, it is key to have them on side.”
The issue came just 24 hours after Arsenal’s curtain-raiser against Nottingham Forest on Saturday was delayed by 30 minutes.
The Gunners have brought in a new e-ticketing system at the Emirates this term and chaos with the system left thousands of fans stuck outside the ground.
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