Arsenal's League Cup match against Fleetwood was halted due to an unauthorized drone appearing above the stadium. Only two minutes had elapsed at Highbury Stadium when referee Michael Salisbury paused the fixture upon noticing the device hovering overhead.

Athletes casually passed the ball among themselves while waiting for the device to clear the airspace, as Salisbury stood by. Five minutes passed without the drone leaving, prompting Salisbury to consult the managers and direct the teams off the field toward the changing rooms.

Police tracked down the device operator two minutes later, allowing the match to restart quickly. Football Association guidelines direct referees to halt matches whenever a drone is spotted in the area.

Official guidance outlines protocols for these incidents:

  • Upon the sighting of a drone above a football pitch/ stadium, the Referee should stop the game and advise both team captains and managers that play will not continue until the drone has passed, or left the vicinity of the players and spectators. Where appropriate speak to the safety officer of the home team to take their advise on the matter.
  • If the drone is not passing or appearing to leave, where possible the Referee should advise both teams to return to the changing room, similar to if there was lighting. At grounds where this is not possible (open playing fields, public parks etc.), the Referee continues to wait until the drone has left.
  • It is not within a Match Officials remit to dictate where a drone can/cannot be flown.
  • Where drones are used for filming and media purposes, the drone must not fly above the playing area once players have entered the field of play to warm-up and until the players leave post-match having cooled down.