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Serbian fans halt game with flare protest

Travelling Red Star Belgrade fans have thrown dozens of flares on the pitch in protest, interrupting the team's clash with Radnik Surdulica.

The scores were locked at 1-1 early in the second half at Radnik's stadium when play was halted.

Red Star fans chanted their disapproval of a proposed Balkan regional league that would see Serbian teams compete against clubs from other former Yugoslavian nations.

"If I was offered millions, billions, I still wouldn't play, Balkan league," sung the fans, referencing the potential revenue that the league could generate through television deals.

Radnik's goalkeeper could be seen sprinting away from his penalty area as stadium officials raced to remove flares from the pitch.

Players were forced to stand around as flares continued to hit the pitch. Pic: YouTube
Players were forced to stand around as flares continued to hit the pitch. Pic: YouTube

Crowd trouble remains a worry if the Balkan league goes ahead.

Two years ago a Euro 2016 qualifier between Serbia and Albania in Belgrade was abandoned after players, officials and fans began fighting.

A drone with an attached Albanian flag had flown above the pitch, with the home crowd reacting badly. Watch the video below to see the events from that night.

"The situation in the Balkans is certainly more stable than a decade ago," Partizan Belgrade sporting director Ivica Iliev said recently.

"But the risk of supporters causing a problem during a game still exists here. If such a league is created there is a lot of work to be done with supporters."