Football: AFC probes explosive thrown onto field

KUALA LAMPUR: Asia’s football governing body said it is looking into possible disciplinary action over an incident in which an explosive was tossed on the field during an AFC Champions League match in Iran. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said the match commissioner’s report had been forwarded to AFC’s legal department for disciplinary investigation. The incident happened on Wednesday during a quarter-final match between Iran’s Foolad Sepahan and Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli, however, no one was hurt. AFC said some objects were thrown by spectators of host club Foolad Sepahan towards the assistant referee near the corner area, including a firecracker. A video of the incident showed the home team’s player Adel Kolahkaj, picking up the object in a relaxed manner and tossing it outside the pitch near an advertising hoarding. It immediately exploded upon impact with the ground, sending the players and officials running for cover.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25^th, 2012.