There was a suprise for many of the players and fans at an Asian Champions League quarterfinal on Wednesday. A frightening, and fiery, scene errupted when a small explosive device went off on the side of the pitch in a quarter-final match between Sepahan and Al Ahli in Iran. Nobody was hurt in the incident.
Objects had been thrown on to the pitch during the first half. In the second half the referee consulted with one of his assistants about the crowd behaviour. Sepahan player, Adel Kolahkaj, picked up a small object and threw it towards a corner flag not expecting what happened next.
There was shock all round as the object exploded and smoke began to stream out. While the Sepahan players went for a closer look, the shocked match officials sprinted for the safety of the halfway line. Play resumed after a break in proceedings and the game finished in an eventful goalless draw.