Russia's Euro 2016 qualifier suspended after keeper hit by flare

The Euro 2016 qualifier between Montenegro and Russia in Podgorica on Friday was stopped for half an hour after visiting goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev was struck by a flare.

Akinfeev was hit on the right shoulder by a flare thrown from the stands at the Gradski Stadion just moments after the start of the Euro 2016 qualifying Group G fixture.

The CSKA Moscow goalkeeper was stretchered off and taken to hospital as a precaution, while the German referee ordered the players off the pitch and called a halt to the match.

A Montenegrin supporter in the crowd apologised through a loudspeaker at the stadium and said the "hooligan" who had thrown the torch had been identified.

However, the game eventually got under way again with the score still 0-0, with Akinfeev`s place on the field taken by Yuri Lodygin.