Euro clash halted because fan riot causes players to suffer 'permanent hearing damage'

FIVE players and a coach have been hospitalized after fireworks were thrown into the dugout amid fan trouble.

The incident took place when Mura welcomed Maribor to the Slovenian PrvaLiga.

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After 57 minutes, a loud bang was heard and play was immediately stopped.

The noise came when a Maribor fan reportedly threw fireworks at the field and landed near the Mura bench.

A huge cloud of smoke covered the field, injuring five players and a fitness coach.

It's been reported that one star suffered “permanent hearing damage” and Mura chief executive Niko Kasalo was left in tears.

Others suffered “severe headaches and burns to their legs”, with one ball boy also nearly hurt.

A Mura statement read: “The question is whether we should from now on fear for the health of both football players and fans because of certain individuals.

“The question is how we can convince fans, especially those who come with children, that football is something beautiful.

“We believe the league will take appropriate and strict action in this case and show zero tolerance for such behavior.

“We at the club are all deeply moved by the event, which will unfortunately mark the Slovenian football landscape for a long time to come.”

The players were taken to the changing rooms by the referee for 25 minutes.

Both teams then agreed to continue playing if the Maribor fans left the stadium.

However, the supporters refused to go home and are said to have threatened to cause more trouble if they were forced to leave.

The officials therefore decided to stop the match against Maribor at that moment with a score of 2-0.

The Slovenian Football Association will investigate the matter and the club will be severely punished.

Maribor has won the competition sixteen times and participated in the group stage of the Champions League in 2017.

Meanwhile, Mura is best known for beating Tottenham 2-1 in the Conference League two seasons ago.