Europa League game delayed after huge explosion occurs just yards from pitch

Malmo and Union Berlin's Europa League clash had to be delayed after an explosion took place just metres away from the pitch.

The clash at the Eleda Stadion was temporarily suspended on the hour mark by match officials after a flare thrown from the section of the stadium housing the travelling Union Berlin fans landed onto the field of play, with the object moving through the air halfway across the pitch before landing near the centre circle.

The referee decided that the player's safety was in danger and ordered them off the pitch so that order could be restored in the stands, but that decision did not stop multiple objects and further flares from being launched.

A group of stewards then were sent to stand on the sidelines of the pitch in front of the travelling Union Berlin fans before a pyrotechnic was thrown and scarily exploded just metres away from the security. Thankfully, and somewhat surprisingly, nobody appeared to be hurt in the incident, which could have ended a lot worse.

Union Berlin's official Twitter account posted an update: "Bangers. Rockets onto the pitch from the Union end. The players taken off. They mull around the touchline. the game is temporarily suspended. B******s. I'm sorry.

"This is a mess. There were at least two rockets from the Union end, at least one big flare from Malmo. Now it's a standoff. No one knows what will happen."

Riot police were called in to help deal with the flares that were thrown onto the pitch in Malmo (AFP via Getty Images)

Multiple pleas were made via the tannoy system urging fans to cease throwing objects onto the pitch and after a break of just over 20 minutes, the officials and players returned to the field of play and were able to complete the remaining third of the match.

Both of these sides were under pressure to win this clash having lost each of their opening two games, and the odds were stacked against Union Berlin – the surprising early-season high-fliers in the Bundesliga – as they were reduced to 10 men in the first half after Andreas Schafer was shown a red card.

However, the break in play appeared to favour the visiting side's players and Sheraldo Becker’' winner eight minutes from time was enough to settle a tie that will no doubt be remembered for the unacceptable scenes off the pitch.