Montenegro v Russia Euro 2016 qualifier abandoned after Igor Akinfeev struck by flare

Ugly scenes marred the Euro 2016 qualifier between Montenegro and Russia on Friday night (27 March), with the game suspended and eventually abandoned after visiting goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev was struck in the back of the head by a flare dangerously hurled from the stands.

The game was barely 60 seconds old when the 28-year-old was sent crashing to the turf in horrific scenes and it took around 35 minutes for the contest to resume as Akinfeev was stretchered off and taken to hospital in Podgorica for treatment to minor burns and a neck injury.

Proceedings were eventually restarted, but persistent crowd trouble and arguments between the two sets of players led to referee Deniz Aytekin marching the teams off twice before finally deciding to call a permanent halt to the match with just over 20 minutes remaining.

Fabio Capello's Russia, who currently sit level on points with Montenegro behind Austria and Sweden in group G, had just seen a penalty saved by Vukasin Poleksic before the final disturbance put paid to any hopes of the fixture being completed on the night.

"I apologise to the Russian players and staff for everything that's happened. It is no surprise that the game was abandoned after the second incident," Montenegro manager Branko Brnovic told a local broadcaster as reported by the Daily Mail.

"My players are completely distraught, all of them are at a loss for words and I also don't know what to say after all this. We now don't stand a chance (of qualifying) and also face a lengthy crowd ban.

"Fortunately, our FA president Dejan Savicevic has a very good reputation with UEFA, while we have to make sure we get back on the rails."

UEFA have since confirmed via their official website that they will "wait to receive reports from the delegate and referee to open disciplinary proceedings".