Game abandoned after footballer grabs corner flag and throws it at fans
A Swedish football match descended into chaos last night after a player lost his temper with fans and threw a corner flag into the stands like a javelin.
Malmo FF substitute Tobias Sana was warming up on the sideline during their match against IFK Gothenburg, when a firecracker was thrown from the stands and exploded at his feet.
Although appearing unhurt, he was enraged and headed toward the corner of the field. The player picked up the corner flag and flung it directly into the crowd of Gothenburg supporters.
Sana was quickly surrounded by other players and security and was escorted from the field.
There was a delay while the officials tried to restore calm but after 30 minutes the referee abandoned the game, feeling that the safety of players and fans could not be guaranteed.
Malmo have since released a statement from Sana to Swedish media site nyheter24.se.
“I've never been so shocked and angry before,” he said (courtesy of Google translate). “I have played in IFK Gothenburg for several years and have every respect for the association and the supporters.
“I can take some booing and insulting me but it has crossed the line when someone tries to hurt me.
“I have a lot of pain in the ears and in the head. I still do not really know what happened.
“Now when I come out of the shock, I feel it was the stupidest decision of my life.There are many young people who look up to me and I really want to apologise.”
