By Alan Duffy
Unfortunately, there have been quite a few unsavoury incidents in the Euro 2016 Qualifying campaign so far, with the behaviour of Croatia’s fans against Italy back in November one particular shocking.
However, in Podgorica on Friday night, things hit a new low when a flare thrown from the Montenegrin fans’ hit Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev right after the kick-off. The 28-year-old was stretchered off the pitch before being taken to hospital, with the game delayed for over half an hour.
However, in the second-half, referee Deniz Aytekin decided to abandon the game for good after brawling between the players and coaching staff of both teams.
The meleé happened after a Roman Shirokov penalty was saved by Montenegro goalkeeper Vukasin Poleksic just after the hour-mark. Just after the spot-kick, another Russian player appeared to by struck by a missile which ignited the brawl, which left the officials with little choice put to call off the game.
Thankfully, according to hospital reports, Akinfeev has suffered no serious injuries although one imagines the Montenegrin FA are in for quite a response from UEFA, with Russia probably being awarded a 3-0 win for starters. Utter madness.
(Vine: INAKI FUTBOL)
(Photos: Getty Images)