European clash suspended after player is hit by FIREWORK while warming up as team-mates refuse to leave dressing room
TONIGHT’S Greek Super League clash between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos has been suspended after a player was struck by a firework.
The clash between the two fierce rivals has previously been labelled “Europe’s maddest derby”.
And tonight’s encounter certainly lived up to that billing after the shocking incident five minutes into the second half.
The scores were level at 1-1 when the away side sent their substitutes out along the touchline to warm up.
However, Panathinaikos’ Spanish star Juankar was struck by a firecracker thrown from the crowd.
The club’s social media account posted: “A firecracker falls on the players of our team who are warming up. Juankar is on the ground injured.
“Interruption in the match. Our team retires to the locker room.”
He fell down to the floor injured as play was quickly suspended at the Georgios Karaiskakis stadium in Piraeus, Greece.
The 33-year-old left-back received treatment before he was taken away on a medical cart.
With fans still inside the ground, the delay reached the 60 minute mark as information on what was happening seemed to be scarce.
Panathinaikos then posted another update that seemed to suggest that their squad were reluctant to leave the changing room.
They said: “An hour has passed since stoppage time in the derby. Our team remains in the locker room.
More to follow…