Croatia and Czech Republic draw 2-2 in flare-disrupted Euro 2016 match

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Czech Republic's forward Tomas Necid (R) celebrates with Croatia's midfielder Milan Badelj after scoring during the Euro 2016 group D football match in Saint-Etienne on June 17, 2016 -AFP photo

Czech Republic’s forward Tomas Necid (R) celebrates with Croatia’s midfielder Milan Badelj after scoring during the Euro 2016 group D football match in Saint-Etienne on June 17, 2016 -AFP photo

SAINT-ÉTIENNE, FRANCE: Croatia blew a two-goal lead and could face UEFA sanctions after flares thrown from the crowd interrupted their Euro 2016 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic on Friday.

The match was suspended for nearly five minutes with Croatia leading 2-1 when flares were thrown on from the end of the stadium housing Croatian supporters.

When play resumed, Tomas Necid’s penalty four minutes into stoppage time handed the Czechs a point after Milan Skoda had pulled a goal back 14 minutes from time.

A fire fighter extinguish flares lobed onto the pitch during the Euro 2016 group D football match between Czech Republic and Croatia at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne on June 17, 2016 -AFP photo

A fire fighter extinguish flares lobed onto the pitch during the Euro 2016 group D football match between Czech Republic and Croatia at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne on June 17, 2016 -AFP photo

 

Croatia-Czech Republic Euro match halted by flares, fans threw at least eight flares onto the pitch forcing the referee to halt the Croatia-Czech Republic Euro 2016 game for four minutes on Friday.

The flares appeared to come from the Croatian supporters’ section. UEFA are almost certain to open an inquiry into the incident.

Croatia were leading 2-1 when English referee Mark Clattenburg halted proceedings so the flares could be extinguished. -AFP