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Fourth official Kevin Friend injured after passing out at Bournemouth

Blooded fourth official Kevin Friend receives treatment
Image: Blooded fourth official Kevin Friend receives treatment

Kevin Friend passed out and banged his head on the Vitality Stadium dugout in the first-half of Bournemouth's 2-0 win over Southampton.

Referee Friend was on duty as the fourth official when he fell shortly before half-time.

Both teams' medics quickly rushed to Friend's aid and referee Mike Dean called a halt with Bournemouth leading 1-0 before blowing for the break early with some injury time still to be played.

The start of the second-half was delayed by five minutes while a replacement official was found.

Dean Treleaven, who is a qualified referee but has previously only worked in non league games, was a guest of the match officials and took over from Friend.

"I was on the bench and he came to us and he fell against the dugout, with his nose, and then fell to the ground," said Southampton boss Ronald Koeman.

"I don't know his situation now, but he for maybe five seconds he was out of everything."

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Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe, whose side claimed their first home win over Southampton in the league since 1958, offered his best wishes to the official for a speedy recovery.

"I just saw him collapse near us," the 38-year-old said. "I didn't see him before it.  I just saw him dazed afterwards.

"Medical people from both sides looked after him.

"We obviously wish him well, but I'm not entirely sure what went on."

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