EFL Play-off Finals: Why all three Wembley matches will kick off one minute late

The EFL play-off finals will kick off a minute later than scheduled this weekend to promote the British Heart Foundation’s ‘Every Minute Matters’ campaign. The campaign - which began during last season’s play-offs - aims to encourage fans to learn CPR.

And Luton skipper Tom Lockyer will make an emotional return to Wembley to join Vinnie Jones in a demonstration of the life-saving technique in front of the sell-out crowd. Lockyer will be back at the national stadium for the first time since collapsing on the pitch after suffering a heart scare just eight minutes into Luton’s Championship play-off final victory over Coventry two years ago.

The defender - who suffered a cardiac arrest during the Hatters’ clash at 18 months ago - is an ambassador for the campaign that aims to highlight the importance of a quick response.

The chances of survival after a cardiac arrest decrease by 10 per cent for every minute that passes without effective CPR or defibrillation.

The shift in kick-off times is intended to underline that message with today’s second-tie showdown between Sheffield United and starting at 15:01.

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Lockyer said: “This campaign has brought fans, players and clubs together like never before – and the result is nothing short of incredible.

“In just a year, we’ve helped more than 300,000 people to start learning CPR. That’s a massive achievement, and one I’m incredibly proud of. I’m one of the lucky ones, but the stark reality is that most people who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest won’t be so lucky.

"That’s why on Saturday at Wembley I’ll be calling for one final effort from the fans because every extra person we inspire to learn CPR could one day go on to save a life.”

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