Medics transport Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev after was hit by a flare thrown from the stands during the Euro 2016 Group G qualifying soccer match between Montenegro and Russia, at the City Stadium in Podgorica, Montenegro, Friday, March 27, 2015.Risto Bozovic/The Associated Press
A European championship qualifying match between Montenegro and Russia was resumed following a 30-minute suspension after Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev was hit by a flare thrown from the stands.
Akinfeev was struck on the head by the flare approximately 20 seconds after kickoff and was carried off the pitch on a stretcher.
He was taken to the local hospital in the Montenegrin capital Podgorica, where he was seen on a stretcher and wearing a neck brace. UEFA doctor Slobo Mandic went with Akinfeev to the hospital and said the goalkeeper was conscious.
"I hope he will be fine," Mandic said, adding that the brace was put on as a precaution.
Following the attack, the match was suspended and the players led off the field. Approximately 30 minutes after the incident, play was resumed.
Akinfeev was replaced by substitute goalkeeper Yuri Lodygin.
The flare struck Akinfeev from behind shortly after kickoff, having been thrown from a sector of the stadium occupied by Montenegro's hardcore supporters. The goalkeeper collapsed to the ground and was treated immediately by medical staff.
Russia and Montenegro are third and fourth respectively in Group G, both with five points from four games.
It is the first time that Russia and Montenegro have played against each another.
It is not the first case of severe crowd trouble during a Euro 2016 qualifier. Last year, a match between Serbia and Albania was abandoned after a drone carrying a political banner was flown into the stadium.
A Serbia player pulled the banner down and Albanian players tried to protect it. In the resulting disorder, Serbian fans attacked Albania players. Both teams were punished over the incident.