Assistant referee fainted during the Copa America 2024 match. What was the cause?

A rather disturbing incident occurred during the second round group stage match of Copa America 2024 between Peru and Canada.

In the closing minutes of the first half, the linesman, Guatemalan Humberto Panoja, collapsed on the pitch. The first to notice was Canada's goalkeeper, Maxime Crépeau, who quickly rushed to assist the official.

Within a few minutes, Panoja was revived and carried off the field on a stretcher. Fourth official Fabian Baren Cordova from Ecuador took over the linesman's duties for the remainder of the match.

The cause of the collapse was determined to be heatstroke. At the time of the match in Kansas, the temperature was around 38 degrees Celsius with 60% humidity.

Currently, the 38-year-old linesman's health is not in any danger.

Canada ultimately won the match 1-0 and is now in second place in Group A.