Iranian football throws away explosive device moments before it goes off

Adel Kolahkaj was fortunate to avoid a serious injury after picking up an explosive device thrown on to the football pitch in an Asian Champions league match.

The 27-year-old Iranian was representing his club Sepahan in a match against United Arab Emirates side Al-Ahli, when he cleared some debris that landed on the field during a break in play.

Picking up the item without realising what it was, midfielder Kolahkaj swung it casually towards the advertising hoardings, only for it to explode into flames just a short distance away from where he stood.

It has not yet been established exactly what the device was — it has been reported as a firecracker, small grenade or even a bomb — but whatever it was, it seems clear that he stood to suffer serious injury had it gone off in his hand.

Remarkably, after a 10-minute delay the match was continued, and finished in a 0-0 draw.

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