Montenegro league title battle disrupted as ultras throw flares and firecrackers at players

April 10 – The top of the table battle for the Montenegrin First League between FC Dedic and Buducnost was interrupted for more than 40 minutes after the game stopped in the 24th minute when the visiting fans from Podgorica started throwing flares and firecrackers on to the pitch.

The Podgorica ultras, nicknamed The Barbarians, started throwing the missiles from the stands with the score at 1:0 to Dedic.

Despite repeated warnings from stadium officials, the Buducnost ultras continued to target the players of both teams on the field. The referee consulted with the match delegate and decided to suspend the match and sent the players of both teams to the dressing rooms.

After a nearly 30-minute break, Buducnost captain Petr Grbić and goalkeeper Đorđi Pavličić came on to the field to talk to the fans. After brief talks and with the help of the police, the Buducnost ultras agreed to leave the stadium so that the match could be restarted.

Eventually, after a stoppage of nearly 40 minutes, the game was resumed. The derby, which could prove decisive for the title in Montenegro, ended in a 1-1 draw.
Dedic currently leads the league, while  Buducnost is second, just three points behind.

Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at moc.l1734971887labto1734971887ofdlr1734971887owedi1734971887sni@o1734971887fni1734971887