Copa America: Linesman In Canada Vs Peru Match Collapses Under Heat
- Taken off by medical staff before half-time
- Match played in nearly 100-degree heat
During the Copa America match between Peru and Canada at Children’s Mercy Park, an assistant referee collapsed on the pitch towards the end of the first half due to nearly 100-degree heat.
Humberto Panjoj, the linesman, fainted in direct sunlight near midfield around the 48th minute of the game and the Canadian goalkeeper, Maxime Crepeau, quickly rushed to his aid and signaled to medical staff that he needed immediate attention.
After some time on the ground, Panjoj could stand and was assisted off the field on a stretcher, receiving cheers from concerned fans.
Near halftime, Canada’s coach requested an early break, but the match continued as both teams headed to the locker rooms.
At halftime, it was announced that Panjoj was receiving medical treatment. As the second half began, Augusto Aragon took over Panjoj’s responsibilities as the fourth official.
There were no further updates on Panjoj’s health at the time of the report. Speculation arose that the collapse might have been due to the high temperature on the field. The match was held in Wyandotte County during a heat advisory, with the temperature at 91 degrees Fahrenheit, feeling like 101 degrees, and 51 percent humidity.
According to The Athletic, the temperature at the time of the incident was 91 degrees, but it felt like 101 degrees, with a humidity of 51 percent.
The United States is hosting the 2024 Copa America and six teams from North America have been invited to participate in this special edition of the South American continental championship, held every four years outside of a few exceptions.
It is the second time the U.S. will host the tournament, after the highly successful Copa America Centenario in 2016.
Argentina are defending champions of the competition, having beaten Brazil 1-0 in the 2021 final which saw Lionel Messi win his first major international trophy. The match was the 47th final of the Copa América, a quadrennial tournament contested by the men’s national teams of the member associations of CONMEBOL (South American Football Confederation).
The match was held at Estádio do Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 10 July 2021. Ángel Di María, who now plays for Benfica FC of Portugal, scored the lone goal in the 22nd minute of that fiercely contested final and was named man of the match
Latest Copa America Table
Group A
| No | Team | G | W | D | L | GF GA | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Argentina | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 0 | 6 |
| 2 | Canada | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 2 | 3 |
| 3 | Chile | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 1 | 1 |
| 4 | Peru | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 1 | 1 |
Group B
| No | Team | G | W | D | L | GF GA | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Venezuela | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 1 | 3 |
| 2 | Mexico | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 0 | 3 |
| 3 | Ecuador | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 2 | 0 |
| 4 | Jamaica | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 1 | 0 |
Group C
| No | Team | G | W | D | L | GF GA | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uruguay | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 1 | 3 |
| 2 | USA | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 0 | 3 |
| 3 | Panama | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 3 | 0 |
| 4 | Bolivia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 2 | 0 |
Group D
| No | Team | G | W | D | L | GF GA | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colombia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 1 | 3 |
| 2 | Brazil | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 0 | 1 |
| 3 | Costa Rica | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Paraguay | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 2 | 0 |
