If UEFA thought that they were having a headache or two because of ‘hooligan fans’ at European events then a look at this video will probably make them feel like they have it all too easy. An AFC Champions League clash between Iranian side Sepahan and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli at the Foolad Shahr Stadium saw some explosive action on the football field; quite literally! No there were no stunning goals or magnificent saves in the match but Sepahan midfielder Adel Kolahkaj almost lost his hand and a few players and the officials might have been far more severely injured after a type of ‘mini grenade’ was thrown on to the pitch.
You can see in the video Adel Kolahkaj nonchalantly picking up a little black object thrown on to the playing field and tossing it away. That little thing turns out to be an explosive grenade and luckily enough it only went off after it was out of the midfielder’s hands. The game was stopped for a while, inspections carried out and match resumed after considerable delay. Thankfully, no one was actually hurt, but that really puts things in perspective for officials who complain about too much smoke or confetti and balloons before a match starts!!
