Firecracker incident ends match

By foxsports
Published

A Russian league game between Dinamo Moscow and Zenit St. Petersburg was called off in the first half Saturday after Dinamo goalkeeper Anton Shunin was injured when a firecracker thrown from the stands exploded near him.

Shunin was taken to a Moscow hospital, and state news agency RIA Novosti said the Russia backup goalie suffered an eye injury, but there were no details on how serious.

The firecracker was thrown from the stands holding visiting Zenit fans in the 36th minute of Saturday's game at Khimki stadium just outside Moscow. Shunin fell to the pitch clutching his face and remained on the ground getting treatment.

Dinamo led 1-0 after Vladimir Granat scored in the 26th.

In a statement, Zenit expressed regret for the ''obvious stupidity and irresponsibility'' of the fans who threw the firecracker.

The Interfax news agency said several people were detained in connection with the incident, but there were no reports of charges being filed.