Flare-Throwing Fans Halt Malaysia World Cup Qualifier
With Malaysia 2-1 down in the 88th minute at Shah Alam Stadium, fans incensed after last week's record 10-0 defeat to UAE lit and threw flares which filled the arena with smoke.
Malaysia's football World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia was suspended on Tuesday after angry fans hurled flares at the pitch, which billowed smoke and forced players and officials to take cover.
With Malaysia 2-1 down in the 88th minute at Shah Alam Stadium, fans incensed after last week's record 10-0 defeat to UAE lit and threw flares which filled the arena with smoke. (Also read: Iran outclass India)
Players and team officials were escorted to the changing rooms and Saudi supporters were seen leaving the stadium. Play was suspended but no immediate decision was taken to abandon the match.
"Match stopped because fans threw flares onto the pitch," said a Malay-language Twitter update by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).
About a dozen flares trailing orange smoke -- as well as loud fireworks -- were let off by home fans. Unconfirmed reports said two Saudi supporters had been attacked.
Officials said the match commissioner would decide shortly whether it is safe to proceed with the match.
Malaysia's interim coach Ong Kim Swee had earlier urged fans not to disrupt the game in protest at last week's loss in Abu Dhabi, which prompted former handler Dollah Salleh to quit.
FAM president Tengku Abdullah Ahmad Shah has also said he would step aside. Earlier in qualifying, Malaysia were held 1-1 at home by East Timor and lost 6-0 to Palestine.