EFL confirm every fixture will kick off one minute later including games live on Sky Sports in bid to save lives

A WEEKEND of EFL matches in February will all kick off a minute late to raise awareness for an important British Heart Foundation scheme.

The charity has teamed up with the EFL to launch the Every Minute Matters campaign.

The EFL is set to spotlight an important schemeCredit: Shutterstock Editorial The project has already led to more than 400,000 learning CPR.

And games across the Championship, League One and League Two between February 5-9 will further spotlight the scheme.

Former Luton defender Tom Lockyer returned to action with Bristol Rovers earlier this season, having suffered a cardiac arrest in December 2023.

Speaking about the Every Minute Matters campaign, Lockyer said: “What happened to me can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time.

“Every year, more than 40,000 people in the UK suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, and most of them never make it home.

“I’m here today because of the transformative power of CPR as every minute matters when it comes to saving a life.

“Football has an incredible power to cut through, and since the Play-Off Final last May, Sky Bet and the BHF have galvanised the football community in a way I never imagined.

“Fans, players and Clubs have shown that when we unite behind a single purpose, we can change outcomes and save lives.

“This February, we want everyone to get behind this life-saving initiative, learn the skills and be ready to step in – because your actions could give someone else the chance I was given.”

Trevor Birch, CEO of the EFL, added: “Our 72 Clubs sit at the heart of their communities, and they show time and again how football can drive real-world change.

“The one minute kick-off adjustment is a simple, powerful reminder that swift CPR can be the difference between life and death.

“Since the launch of the Every Minute Matters campaign in May 2024, over 400,000 supporters have already begun learning CPR—now we’re calling on supporters everywhere to join them this February and help us pass the half million mark.”