Jamie Vardy caused a stir. © APA/afp / PETER POWELL

Referee on the ground: Vardy stops the game with his whistle

Unusual short appearance for Jamie Vardy: The iconic striker of Leicester City interrupted the match in the Premier League with the referee's whistle.

04 May 2025

From: dpa/sn

When David Webb writhed on the ground with his whistle in his hand after a collision with Leicester's Jordan Ayew in the first half, several players continued to play. Vardy rushed to the referee, bent down, grabbed Webb's arm, and then promptly picked up his own whistle. With a resounding whistle, the Englishman interrupted his club's match against Southampton FC.

Webb, who was refereeing his first English Premier League match, was sidelined after the incident. After paramedics treated him on the pitch during a lengthy stoppage, the referee was replaced by fourth official Sam Barrott.

Before a brief stint as referee, Vardy scored for Leicester for the 199th time

Vardy wasn't only successful in his unexpected brief refereeing appearance. A few minutes earlier, the 38-year-old had scored the 1-0 goal for his team (17th minute). According to the media, it was his 199th goal for the club he will leave in the summer. Ayew, with whom Webb had collided, made it 2-0 before halftime (44th minute). But the victory didn't really help: Leicester City, like their opponents Southampton, are already relegated.