Russia anger after Montenegro Euro 2016 qualifier abandoned

Posted Saturday, March 28, 2015 by Goal.com

The European Championship qualifier had been suspended inside the first 30 seconds after Igor Akinfeev was struck by a flare, but another incident late on saw the game called off

The Russia Football Union (RFS) has expressed its anger after the country's Euro 2016 qualifier against Montenegro was abandoned after fans threw objects at the visiting players.

The match had been suspended inside the first minute when visiting goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev was stretchered off after being hit on the neck by a flare, which came from behind the goal.

Play resumed 20 minutes later but further chaos ensued later in the game. Roman Shirokov saw a controversial penalty saved and after the ball went out for a throw in, fans began to launch missiles onto the pitch.

Players of both sides clashed as the atmosphere intensified, leading to Germany referee Deniz Aytekin suspending the match for a second time and later abandoning it with over 20 minutes still to play.

Russia boss Fabio Capello revealed after the game that his side were left with little choice but to play on after the first interruption.

"Officials told us to continue after first break, so we had to!" he revealed. "The decision to abandon the game after second break was correct."

A spokesman for the RFS said: "We don't understand why the match was continued in the first place because Akinfeev is one of our most important players and his inury could have had a direct effect on the outcome of game."

Meanwhile, home coach Branko Brnovic appeared embarrassed by the actions of his side's fans.

"I would like to apologise to the Russian players and coaching staff because of everything that has happened. It is normal that the match was abandoned, because the incident was the second one in the game," he told RTGC.

Prior to the match, violent clashes between fans had taken place in Podgorica, and following the abandonment of the game there were further incidents.

It is the second game in the Euro 2016 qualifiers to be abandoned, after Albania's match against Serbia was called off when players and fans fought after a drone carrying an Albania flag flew over the pitch.

After a Uefa investigation into that encounter, Serbia were awarded the three points, though were subsequently docked these due to a pitch invasion from their supporters.

Russia and Montenegro both currently have five points in Group G and are scrapping for third place behind Austria and Sweden, who have earned 13 and nine marks respectively. As a result, the governing body's decision over the outcome of this fixture could play a critical role in the pool.