Drone Stops Arsenal's Cup Match for Eight Minutes
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Arsenal's match against Fleetwood Town in the last-16 of the Carabao Cup was interrupted after a drone was seen flying above the stadium.
The match was halted for more than eight minutes while officials dealt with the situation. Halted means the game was temporarily stopped.
Drones flying over football stadiums during matches are a serious safety concern for organisers, players and fans. A concern is a worry about something important.
Rules usually ban drones near stadiums while matches are being played, mainly because of safety and security risks. Security means protection from danger or harm.
The referee is responsible for deciding when to stop a match if there is a safety issue. A referee is the official who controls the game.
Once the drone was no longer a concern, the referee allowed play to resume. Resume means to start again after a pause.
The Carabao Cup is one of England's major football competitions, and the last-16 stage means only a small number of teams remain.
Incidents involving drones at sports events are rare but have become more common as drone technology becomes more accessible. Accessible means easy to get or use.
Fans and players had to wait during the eight-minute stoppage before the match could continue as normal.
Vocabulary10 words
- drone
- a small flying machine with no pilot inside
- halted
- stopped for a period of time
- concern
- a worry about something important
- security
- protection from danger or harm
- referee
- the official who controls a sports match
- resume
- to start again after stopping
- competitions
- sports events where teams try to win
- accessible
- easy to get or use
- stoppage
- a pause or break in play
- organisers
- people who plan and run an event
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Quiz
Answer key
1. A drone flying above the stadium 2. More than eight minutes 3. The Carabao Cup
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Arsenal's match against Fleetwood Town in the last-16 of the Carabao Cup was interrupted after a _____ was seen flying above the stadium.
The match was _____ for more than eight minutes while officials dealt with the situation. Halted means the game was temporarily stopped.
Drones flying over football stadiums during matches are a serious safety _____ for organisers, players and fans.
Rules usually ban drones near stadiums while matches are being played, mainly because of safety and _____ risks.
The _____ is responsible for deciding when to stop a match if there is a safety issue.
Once the drone was no longer a concern, the referee allowed play to _____.
The Carabao Cup is one of England's major football _____, and the last-16 stage means only a small number of teams remain.
Incidents involving drones at sports events are rare but have become more common as drone technology becomes more _____.
Fans and players had to wait during the eight-minute _____ before the match could continue as normal.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think drones are a safety concern at sports events?
- What rules do you think should exist for drones near stadiums?
- How might an eight-minute stoppage affect players during a match?
- Do you think incidents like this will become more common in the future? Why or why not?
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