This is just brutal.
A flare struck Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev during a 2016 European Championship qualifying match between Russia and Montenegro on Friday, delaying the action for 30 minutes after Akinfeev was carried off on a stretcher.
Flash Games provided footage of the incident:
The heinous act occured during the first minute of play.
Akinfeev apparently hit by a flare from crowd — have not seen a clear replay as ball at centerfield when he went down – match suspended
— FOX Soccer Trax (@FOXSoccerTrax) March 27, 2015
Montenegro v Russia suspended after Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev is hit by a flare pic.twitter.com/tzhe6RxoXI
— Eurosport.com (@EurosportCom_EN) March 27, 2015
It appears as though the flare hit Akinfeev near the head.
ESPN FC reported officials abandoned the match after a second incident, the score tied at 0-0: