Kaiserslautern’s game at Darmstadt in the German second division was abandoned at half-time on Wednesday after the visiting side’s manager Jeff Strasser suddenly became ill and was taken to hospital.

German media reported that Kaiserslautern manager Strasser had suffered a heart attack. Medical personnel were attending the scene at the changing rooms during the break, and the game did not restart for the second half.

The stadium announcer asked the 17,400 fans in attendance to wait for 10 minutes before saying the game was called off due to a “medical emergency.” Kaiserslautern gave no details of Strasser’s condition, confirming only that the 43-year-old, who was appointed at the end of September, had been taken to a hospital after an ambulance left the stadium.



Kaiserslautern are bottom of 2 Bundesliga with 12 points and desperately needed a win against Darmstadt to boost their hopes of escaping relegation. Darmstadt, with 19, are also in danger. The match was scoreless when it was called off.

Darmstadt wished Strasser a speedy recovery on Twitter, saying: “Though we love football so much, there are so many more important things in life.”

Kaiserslautern thanked both sets of fans for their reaction. Supporters held scarves aloft and chanted Strasser’s name and sang You’ll Never Walk Alone together.