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Arsenal's Carabao Cup fourth-round tie against Fleetwood Town was brought to an abrupt halt after a drone flew above the stadium. Just three minutes had been played at Fleetwood's Highbury Stadium when the drone was spotted in the sky, with the referee forced to stop play.
Altogether, eight minutes went by without a ball being kicked, and the referee ultimately told the players to leave the pitch. Not long after that, the game was resumed after the police intervened and located the drone operator.
Speaking on Sky Sports commentary, Peter Drury remarked: "Word now is that the drone has disappeared. Whether it's just teasing us... The clock keeps ticking. We've had seven and a half minutes since a ball was last kicked in anger.
"The police have intervened and there is word they have located the operator of the offending drone and therefore everything appears to be back under control. Thank heavens for that!"
When it comes to drones above the pitch, the FA enforce strict guidelines. The rulebook states: "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."
The incident happened when the game was goalless, but it was Fleetwood who reacted strongest after the impromptu stoppage. Fulham loanee Aaron Loupalo-Bi broke in behind the visitors' backline and slotted home the opening goal of the game 21 minutes into the contest.
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