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Champions League clash suspended after just 72 seconds with players unable to see due to smoke caused by fans’ flares


A CHAMPIONS LEAGUE clash was suspended after just 72 seconds due to fans’ flares.

Feyenoord hosted Bayern Munich on matchday seven at De Kuip.

Feyenoord fans set off flares in the early stages of their match with Bayern MunichCredit: X
The flares began as the players got ready for kick-offCredit: Rex
Play had to be suspended due to the thick smokeCredit: Getty

But with just over a minute on the clock in the 8pm kick-off, the referee had to halt proceedings.

That is because the Feyenoord fans set off a ton of flares inside the stadium in scenes more akin to November 5 than a football match.

The fireworks and smoke bombs started as the players made their final preparations on the pitch for kick-off.

But once the fires of pyrotecnics died down, they were replaced with a huge cloud of smoke.

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And it became so bad that visibility was reduced for the players and officials on the pitch that the referee temporarily paused the Champions League match.

Play was stopped for more than five minutes as everyone waited for the smoke to dissipate.

And once the referee was happy, he allowed the game to continue.

But on 21 minutes, the stadium exploded into life once again.

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That is because Santiago Gimenez gave the Dutch side the lead.

Bayern centre-back Kim Min-jae failed to deal with a ball over the top.

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That allowed Gimenez to run in behind.

And the Mexican took his strike early, sweeping a fine left-footed finish past Manuel Neuer.

Seven minutes of injury time were added on at the end of the first half to make up for the early delay.

Right at the end of the seven minutes, Feyenoord launched a blistering counter attack.

The danger appeared to be cleared but then Raphael Guerreiro – who had only just come on for Alphonso Davies – stuck his leg into a needless challenge.

The ref had no choice but to point to the spot.

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And Gimenez stepped up to blast home the penalty in the ninth added minute.

Ayase Ueda then rounded off the 3-0 win in the 89th minute – with Feyenoord’s third shot on target while Bayern had 30 attempts.

The fireworks made for an impressive display and a crackling atmosphereCredit: AP
Feyenoord fans were desperate to give their side any advantage possibleCredit: Rex
Play was simply not possible with the reduced visibilityCredit: Rex
Santiago Gimenez scored twice in the first half once the smoke clearedCredit: Getty


Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk


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