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Moscow derby halted twice as field engulfed in smoke from flares

CSKA Moscow goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev stands in front of a wall of smoke during the derby at Spartak Moscow. (Getty)
CSKA Moscow goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev stands in front of a wall of smoke during the derby at Spartak Moscow. (Getty)

Sunday was derby day in European soccer – most notably in England, where Liverpool and Everton played to a 1-1 draw, and Manchester City beat Manchester United to take an 11-point lead atop the Premier League. But the craziest scenes of the day came from Moscow.

CSKA travelled to Spartak for a massive Moscow derby, and the atmosphere was as wild as you’d expect. Early in the first half, after Spartak had already taken a 1-0 lead, so-called Spartak “ultras” lit up one end behind the goal with flares:

They set off so many that most of the section became covered in smoke:

Here’s what the section looked like at one point from the inside:

The smoke, naturally, made its way on the field. The game was paused briefly as the referee and players waited for it to clear.

CSKA fans in the far corner also had a pyrotechnic display of their own that engulfed parts of the field in smoke:

The match was ultimately suspended twice because of the smoke. Here’s another view from the stands:

And a view from field level:

(Getty)
(Getty)
(Getty)
(Getty)

So what kind of fans are responsible for this madness? Uh …

(Getty)
(Getty)

Spartak won the match 3-0.