Ajax fans target opposing fans with revenge flares

Travelling Ajax Amsterdam fans threw a barrage of flares on the pitch and at opposing fans in an apparent act of revenge this morning.

The referee needed to halt play just five minutes into Ajax's Europa League clash with Standard Liege in Belgium as one end of the pitch was engulfed by smoke.

Multiple flares were lit on the second level, with some thrown on the pitch as players gathered on the edge of the 18-yard box.

The situation escalated when one of the 1400 Ajax fans threw a flare over the fence that segregated them from the home fans.

A Standard Liege fan attempted to throw the live flare back at the Ajax fans but it fell short and dropped to a row of empty seats.

Eight people were arrested when the two sides met in the Netherlands for an earlier Europa League group game two months ago.

Reports at the time said rival supporters engaged in fighting and three flares were thrown into a family-friendly seating area at the Amsterdam Arena.

Standard Liege fans also set fire to a toilet block at the stadium.

This morning's game finished 1-1, which was not enough for Standard Liege to progress to the knockout phase.

Ajax had already secured top spot in Group G but they may now face a UEFA sanction for their fans' conduct.