The lit flare was thrown from behind the goal - a place
occupied by Montenegro's supporters - during the Group G fixture, and appeared
to strike Akinfeev in the back of the head approximately 20 seconds after
kick-off, causing him to fall to the floor.
He was
then carried off the pitch on a stretcher, as German referee Deniz Aytekin
stopped the game and ushered the other players away.
The game
did resume after a 30 minute stoppage, only to be abandoned after 67 minutes
because the two sets of players began brawling and objects were thrown from the
stands - it had been announced when the game first resumed that the game would
be abandoned if there was more trouble in the crowd.
Akinfeev has been examined by medics,
and is being taken to hospital for further tests, Russian TV has reported,
citing a spokesman for the national team.
Akinfeev was taken to hospital for further tests
Russia and
Montenegro are third and fourth respectively in Group G, both with five points
from four games.
The incident
comes after a Euro 2016 qualifier match between Serbia and Albania last year
was abandoned after a drone carrying a political banner was flown into the
stadium.
When a Serbian
player attempting to pull down the banner, Albanian players struggled to
protect it. In the resulting disorder, Serbian fans attacked Albania players.
Both teams were punished over the incident.
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