Assistant referee collapses on pitch at Copa America as Peru vs Canada halted

An assistant referee collapsed in the closing minutes of the first half of Tuesday's Copa America match between Peru and Canada.

At the 48th minute of the contest, linesman Humberto Panjoj appeared to faint near midfield. Moments after he hit the ground, Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau sprinted over to the referee and turned him on his back before signalling for assistance from medical staff.

After spending several moments down on the grass, Panjoj was able to stand up under his own power and be helped onto a stretcher. He was carted off the field and showered in cheers from concerned fans in attendance at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City.

READ MORE Furious England fans launch cups and boo Gareth Southgate after dismal Slovenia display READ MORE Jamie Carragher suffers Twitter hack during England game as tweets cause confusion

Since the first half was already nearly at a close, Canada head coach Jesse Marsch pleaded with referee Mario Escobar to call halftime prematurely. But the match continued as planned, with both teams jogging off to the locker rooms minutes after Panjoj's health scare.

At halftime, it was announced that Panjoj was receiving treatment from medical personnel. As Peru and Canada emerged from the tunnel to begin the second half, fourth official Augusto Aragon relieved him of his duties on the sideline. No additional details have yet to be provided on Panjoj's current status.

Many speculated that Panjoj collapsed due to the blistering heat at field level. The match is being held in Wyandotte County, which as of Tuesday afternoon was in a heat advisory. According to reporters present, the temperature at Children's Mercy Park was 91 degrees fahrenheit - but felt like 101 degrees - with a humidity of 51 per cent.

For all the latest on news, politics, sports, and showbiz from the USA, go to The Mirror US .

Humberto Panjoj was stretchered off the field after collapsing to the ground
(Image: beIN Sports)

As temperatures surpassed 100 in the opening moments of the second half, fans began exiting their seats and flocking towards parts of the stadium that were covered with shade. Over half of the venues currently serving as hosts to Copa America matches are outdoors - an unfortunate situation as the United States continues to be ravaged by a country-wide heat wave.

Panjoj is not the first person in this year's Copa America to feel the brutal effects of the sweltering weather. Ronald Araujo revealed he was substituted out of Uruguay's 3-1 win over Panama in Miami on Sunday after becoming severely dehydrated.

"The truth is I'm still a bit dizzy now," Araujo conceded after playing just 45 minutes of the match. "My (blood) pressure went down. When the first half finished I was a bit dizzy and when I reached the dressing room my pressure went down. The doctor said it was a bit of dehydration and I couldn't continue for the second half."

Despite the high temperatures and brief health scare, Canada managed to break the 0-0 tie in the 74th minute with a brilliant goal from Jonathan David. Les Rouges held on for the 1-0 victory - in large part thanks to a red card issued to Peru defender Miguel Araujo - marking the team's first-ever Copa America win.