Handball fans panic and interrupt the game

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Violent scenes at a top handball match in North Macedonia: the fan camps of rival clubs Vardar Skopje and Eurofarm Pelister caused several incidents in the first half.

In the 12th minute, guest goalkeeper Urban Lesjak (32) was hit in the head by a coin from the home block. After a short treatment, Pelister’s goalkeeper continues. Just four minutes later, the match completely escalates.

Guests’ supporters enter the venue 15 minutes after the match has started, a common practice in North Macedonia for derbies or other explosive matches. But once they arrive in their sector, they set off pyros, set off fireworks, and keep throwing objects onto the field. Then they even start throwing the petards at the stands around the block.

“It’s a miracle no one was hurt”

“Parents with small children ran as far as they could to avoid being hit by fireworks or objects,” handball reporter Filip Mishov describes the scenes on Twitter. Vardar’s fans react immediately and storm the pitch.

They throw back various objects, such as water bottles, and all of the players’ attempts to de-escalate are unsuccessful. Calm only returns when the police enter the field. The game is interrupted for 15 minutes, the players go to the huts.

Mishov does not understand how the situation could escalate so quickly: “Once again the police have failed to contain the ultras.” The organizers and authorities “should be ashamed” that such riots could take place. According to Mishov, 18 people were arrested: “It’s a miracle no one was hurt.”

The second stage is yet to come

The game went on without incident, only on the field it was rough between the players. Vardar wins the match 31:24, there is a second leg in early May.

Like many others, Mishov hopes lessons have been learned from recent scenes: “The rivalry has gone too far, many people didn’t feel safe in the arena and that shouldn’t be the case when you go to a handball match.” (che)

Source : Blick