A football linesman has died after going into cardiac arrest while officiating at an Ipswich and Suffolk Youth Football League match.

The incident happened at around midday on Sunday, April 8 at an under 16s tie between Ransomes Sports and Ipswich Valley Rangers Blues.

The man, who was in his 50s, collapsed on a field at St Alban’s School, on Digby Road in Ipswich.

The East of England Ambulance Service received a call about a man who had gone into cardiac arrest shortly before 1pm, and an ambulance, ambulance officer and rapid response vehicle were dispatched to the scene.

The man was found to be not breathing nor conscious, and was subsequently taken to Ipswich Hospital for further care.

He sadly died in the care of hospital staff later that afternoon.

Allan Girot, chairman of the Ipswich and Suffolk Youth League, said: “This is a tragic situation. It must touch the hearts of everybody involved in the game and in the league.

“We send out best wishes to the people involved. It puts such things as the game of football into perspective. We hope this is a situation we never have to experience again.”

A spokesperson for the Suffolk Football Association said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the tragic incident, and wish to express our condolences to the family and the clubs at this difficult time.”

A spokesperson for the East of England Ambulance Service said: “We received a call at 12.54pm [on April 8] after reports of a man in his 50s had collapsed on a school field in Digby Road, Ipswich.

“East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST) dispatched an ambulance, ambulance officer and rapid response vehicle.

“On arrival, the patient was not breathing nor conscious. The team managed to receive the patient, and he was taken to Ipswich Hospital for further care.”

The ambulance service confirmed the man was in cardiac arrest.

A spokesperson for Suffolk police confimed the man had died at Ipswich Hospital midway through Sunday afternoon.

The chairmen of Ipswich Valley Rangers and Ransomes Sports were approached for comment, but said they would prefer not to issue a statement at this time out of respect for those involved.

The Ipswich & Suffolk Youth Football League is comprised of 158 teams from across the county, split into 27 divisions.

The age of players ranges from under eight to under 18.