Confusion reigns as experienced umpire brings Jamaica, Uganda netball match to bizarre halt - ‘What did you guys spray?’
Published 28/07/2026 at 11:51 GMT+1
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There was a bizarre disruption to the Pool B netball match between Jamaica and Uganda as an umpire was forced to step off the court and stop the clock at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
‘I just need a quick drink’ – Umpire halts netball match in bizarre scenes
Video credit: TNT Sports
The incident occurred just a couple of minutes into Q4 after Jamaica had moved 45-40 ahead at the Hydro.
As players returned for the game to restart with the centre pass, umpire Gary Burgess blew his whistle, drawing confused looks from the two sides.
He then ran over to the official on the other side of the court and explained the situation.
"I don’t know what they sprayed at half-time, [but] I just need a quick drink," Burgess said. "What did you guys spray? Something was sprayed and it’s not good."
A quick gulp seemed to do the trick, and he returned to the court and apologised to the two sets of players.
TNT Sports commentators Lindsey Chapman and Nia Jones were also caught a little off-guard by the unusual event.
"I’m not sure what’s going on," Chapman began. "Well, Gary Burges is saying something was sprayed at half-time and he just needs to get a drink.
"It’s a marathon these Commonwealth Games for the umpires as well. They do an incredible job, they're a big part of the game. There’s 13 of them and you have to be absolutely on point."
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Burgess, who is the head of officiating for England Netball, is one of the most experienced umpires at Glasgow 2026, featuring in his fifth Commonwealth Games.
But he received no sympathy from Jones, who joked: "He’s obviously just got something in his throat. I’d be taking the mick out of him for that, stopping a match at the Commonwealth Games so you can have a little cough and a drink."
Jamaica went on to complete a 55-49 victory to go top of Pool B, with plenty more netball action still to come inside the Hydro.
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