UNION SAINT-GILLOISE’S clash with Fenerbahce was halted after fireworks were thrown onto the pitch.The Europa Conference League last-16 showdown took place tonight at the Stade Joseph Marien in Belgium.Firefighters were called into action in the Europa Conference LeagueCredit: RexThe clash between Union Saint-Gilloise and Fenerbahce was halted just seconds after the startCredit: RexThe away end continued to throw flares on to the pitch while firefighters removed themCredit: RexSmoke filled the air before the fireworks were eventually clearedCredit: RexHowever, just as the action had got underway, firefighters were forced to step in.As these photos and clip show, a number of flares and fireworks were thrown by Ultras in the away end.Hordes of smoke filled the 9,400-capacity ground as the referee and players remained on the pitch waiting to get the first-leg up and running.But they had to wait until members of the fire service came out to remove the blazing fireworks.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLFiremen were pictured attempting to put out the orange flames, while another had hold of two smoking flares as he raced from the field.White and yellow smoke, the colours of the Turkish visitors from Fenerbahce, continued to fill the air.And despite the firefighters racing on to remove the flares, more continued to be hurled from the upper tier down to the turf.Fortunately, after a brief delay, play was eventually resumed.Most read in Europa LeagueBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFormer Chelsea striker Michy Buatshuayi gave Fenerbahce the lead after 20 minutes of the match.Then, with just six minutes of normal time remaining, the visitors doubled their advantage through Dutch left-back Jayden Oosterwolde.Dundee fans delay Premiership clash vs Hibs by throwing pyro flare on the Easter Road pitchAnd then ex-Southampton attacker Dusan Tadic made it three in the fourth minute of additional time to virtually book their spot in the next round.The two sides meet again next week in second-leg back in Turkey at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.Former Chelsea star Michy Batshuayi gave Fenerbahce the leadCredit: Rex More

BURSASPOR were on top of the Turkish footie world 14 years ago – but now they’re on the brink of dropping into the country’s FOURTH division.The Green Crocodiles won the Super Lig in 2010, pipping giants Besiktas, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray to the title.
Bursaspor have suffered three relegations in the last six yearsCredit: GETTY
The Green Crocodiles play their football at the 43,000-capacity Timash ArenaCredit: AFLO
The unique stadium – which was opened in 2015 – cost £8million to buildCredit: AFLO
The stadium is shaped like a crocodile – a design in homage to the team’s nicknameCredit: GETTY
But they’ve struggled on the pitch in recent years, suffering relegation to the First League in the 2018-19 season.
Their loyal fans endured the bitter taste of relegation again just three seasons later when they finished 17th in the league.
Things haven’t picked up for the Bursa-based club, who are now in serious danger of their THIRD relegation in six seasons.
The club are ROCK BOTTOM of Second League’s White Group with a mere 13 points to their name after 24 matches.
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Their decline has been made even worse by the fact they have one of the most unique stadiums in Europe.
Bursaspor play their football at the stunning Timsah Arena, which can seat 43,331 supporters.

The standout feature of the ground – which was opened in 2015 after four years of construction – is undoubtedly its crocodile shape.
The unique design even includes the HEAD of a croc, which serves as a concourse for fans.
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The croc head serves as an intimidating sight for opposition fans and players, as well as a homage to the team’s nickname.
Bursaspor have done incredibly well to continue playing at their unique ground during their tumble down the Turkish leagues.
Fifa World Cup 2026 final stadium revealed as raging fans say it was ‘the worst possible option’
The operation costs of the arena will no doubt be extremely high and will be eating into the club’s finances.
So there is a real concern it could prove to be too much for the club to keep running if they drop into the fourth division. More

LEEDS UNITED star Gaetano Berardi is facing nine months out after suffering an ACL tear.
The 31-year-old defender was stretchered off during the champions’ 3-1 win at Derby County on Sunday.

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Leeds star Gaetano Berardi tore his ACL against Derby on SundayCredit: PA:Press Association

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The Swiss defender, who is out of contract this month, has been ruled out for nine monthsCredit: Rex Features
The Swiss international underwent scans on the injury yesterday and now the club have confirmed the full extent of the damage to the soon-to-be out of contract ace.
A statement said: “Leeds United defender Gaetano Berardi suffered an ACL tear in his knee during Sunday’s Sky Bet Championship fixture with Derby County.
“Berardi, who was replaced in the 33rd minute of the match at Pride Park, had scans today which confirmed the injury.
“The defender, who has made 25 appearances for the Whites during the campaign, now faces up to nine months on the sidelines.”
Berardi will become a free agent later this month and it is unclear whether he will get an extension to his deal at Elland Road.

The news puts a dampener on what has been a brilliant week for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
They were confirmed as champions last weekend after they ended a 16-year wait to return to the Premier League on Friday.

Leeds face Charlton Athletic in their final game of the season on Wednesday.

Clean-up begins after Leeds United fans pack the streets to celebrate their promotion into the Premier League More

JORGINHO has won the Champions League, European Championship and come third in the Ballon d’Or during his illustrious career.He is aiming to add a Premier League title to his already-enviable trophy collection with Arsenal this season.
Jorginho has become a Premier League stalwart with Arsenal and ChelseaCredit: Getty
The 31-year-old won the Champions League with ChelseaCredit: Getty
The Italian tasted Euro 2020 gloryCredit: Getty
But his career nearly ended before it had even got off the ground when he was betrayed by someone that he thought had been looking after his best interests.
Born in Brazilian coastal town Imbituba, Jorginho moved to Italy as a teenager in order to chase his football dream.
During his early years in Hellas Verona’s academy he had to make do with very little while living in a monastery.
Little did he know that things needn’t have been so difficult.
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Opening up while appearing on the The Athletic Football Podcast., Jorginho revealed: “Basically I went to Italy, I was getting 20 euros per week, I was living in a monastery.
“We wouldn’t see the priest, there was one part with the priest but there was this other part with a corridor of bedrooms for students and young players – I used to live in there with five boys.
“There were six of us in the room and we were treated so well. We had breakfast, lunch and dinner there and at that point when I went there I was 15.
“We used to live with 20 euros per week for one-and-a-half years. After one-and-a-half years I found out that the agent took money. I don’t want to say how much, but in that situation it was a lot.
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“I found out. I went crazy, for me, football was over in that moment. I wanted to go back home. I wanted to give up. I called home crying and I said ‘this is enough for me’.”
Luckily for the midfielder, his nearest and dearest talked him around.
“I missed so much, I missed my teenage years, I missed my friends, my family,” he added.
“I missed home and I’m living with 20 euros per week. I can’t help my mum and my dad so what am I doing here?
“I called home crying and fortunately I had parents who said no to me. They said you’ve come to far now so you’re not coming back.
“At that time I was training with the first team, I was 17 and I was training with the first team and my parents said no, you are too close, you cannot give up now.
“They convinced me to stay fortunately and then things started to change.”
On his former agent, he added: “I was 17 and I didn’t have a pre-contract, nothing. In that situation it was unusual because another boy had one even though he wasn’t training with the first team.
“I asked my agent why I didn’t have a pre-contract and he used to say, ‘sorry, they don’t want to do one for you.’
“Then I met one of my best friends and he spoke to his agent about it. It came out that basically the team would speak with him because I was underage – he would ask for more money and tell me that the team didn’t want to have a contract.
“I consider myself a good guy and I thought my dad was right, this world wasn’t right for me. But then I met good people.”
During a previous piece for the Players’ Tribune, Jorginho recounted the reality of life in Hellas Verona’s academy.
He said: “I’d go to the main square in Verona and buy a milkshake at McDonald’s.
“It cost one euro. Fries? Burger? Forget it, man! Happy Meals were for the rich kids.”
Jorginho, now 31, went on to burst onto the scene with Hellas Verona’s first team, earning a switch to Napoli in 2014.
After nearly winning the Serie A title, the midfielder followed Maurizio Sarri to Chelsea in 2018.
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Four-and-a-half years later he moved to Arsenal, where he is currently thriving under Mikel Arteta.
The midfielder began his career with Hellas VeronaCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

SOME headaches normally cause people to look for medicine.But in Jonas Eidevall’s case, this particular headache is a selection one – and a pleasant one to have with Arsenal beating Liverpool 2-0.
Frida Maanum netted her second goal for Arsenal this term in their win against LiverpoolCredit: Reuters
Lia Walti opened her WSL goal account for this season to give the Gunners the lead at Prenton ParkCredit: Alamy
The Gunners are firing on all cylinders with a solid performance at the home of the Merseyside giants
The result saw them nab their 12th victory in a row in the top tier.
A win that sees them equal the league record set by themselves and Manchester City.
To top it off, Eidevall’s high-fliers also kept their 10th clean sheet, a feat that saw them go 1003 minutes without conceding a goal.
Among the performers who impressed for the visitors was Frida Maanum.
The Gunners’ ace was a midfield menace alongside Kim Little and Lia Walti as Arsenal made it winning business as usual dominating the game for large spells.
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Any hopes of the Reds stunning another WSL title chaser were snuffed out with Maanum – among today’s scorers – justifying why she is in Eidevall’s starting 11.
The WSL ace helped Arsenal maintain winning business as usual after their 5-1 defeat of Lyon with Eidevall keeping the same line-up.
On retaining Maanum in his side, the Arsenal chief told BBC Sport: “It’s a pleasant headache, isn’t it?
“It’s also a really good sign for any player looking to see what you do when you don’t get opportunities.
“People remember when you play, they don’t remember when you’re not playing so make it stick.”
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The result saw the Gunners, with Caitlin Foord delivering a player of the match performance, in action for the third time in seven days.
Eidevall added: “It was tricky, it is tough to play a third away game within a week. I like the heart we put on the pitch today.
“We work extremely hard for each other.
“We showed we matched them and we were very good at expressing ourselves on the ball. That’s the difference.”
Gunners forward Foord said: “We had a short turnaround and a bit of travel.
“We definitely felt it towards the end and it was a grind to see the game out.
Caitlin Foord reckons Arsenal could won have won by a bigger marginCredit: Getty
“But in saying that, we had plenty of chances as well and could have gone a bit ahead.”
Matt Beard’s aces began strongly at Prenton Park refusing to be overawed.
But the visitors got get into their groove with captain Little, Foord and Lia Walti among the players pulling the strings.
Walti got Arsenal off the mark powering home their 15th-minute opener from the edge of the box.
The visitors soon doubled their lead eight minutes later with Foord teeing up Maanum who netted after some nifty footwork.
Liverpool attempted to battle their way back with some threatening corner kicks and deliveries into the box.
They caused some problems in the visitors’ box in the second half’s opening stages and looked for a handball after Emma Koivisto’s shot struck Foord.
Niamh Fahey sent a shot wide for Liverpool late on in the gameCredit: Reuters
And they came close to pulling one back with Niamh Fahey firing wide of the far post before Beth Mead walloped an injury-time effort over the bar.
The result saw Arsenal go top before Manchester United’s trip to Leicester.
It also left Liverpool hunting for their second win of the season with a Conti Cup clash with Leicester next before a league trip to Man City.
The Reds are currently ninth after three straight losses following their opening-day defeat of Chelsea. More