Czech Republic vs Croatia match suspended after flares thrown on pitch and fighting erupts in stadium

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James Benge17 June 2016

Croatia’s Euro 2016 clash with the Czech Republic was brought to a standstill as around a dozen flares were thrown onto the pitch in the closing moments of the match.

With Croatia 2-1 up and impressing on the field the focus once more in this tournament switched from the players to the fans as more than 10 flares landed on the pitch in Saint-Etienne’s Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in around the 85th minute.

Scuffles appeared to break out in the Croatian end, with players including Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic gesturing to urge their supporters to calm down.

Referee Mark Clattenburg brought both sides into the centre circle with no action possible until the 90th minute.

Czech Republic then went on to find a late equaliser from the penalty spot after Clattenburg restarted play, with Tomas Nekic scoring from the spot.

The use of flares has already become a highly controversial topic at Euro 2016, with a flare gun being fired just after full time in England’s 1-1 draw with Russia in Marseille last Saturday.

Croatia’s football federation is expected to face punishment from Uefa over the pitch.

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