Firecrackers bring Malmo game to halt

RANGERS' Champions League qualifying opponents Malmo were mired in controversy on Saturday when their league match at home to Djurgardens was abandoned 12 minutes into play after firecrackers were thrown on to the pitch.

It was the third match abandoned in Sweden's top flight this season due to crowd trouble, and the second at Malmo's Swedbank stadium, where Rangers will play on Wednesday as they bid to overturn last week's 1-0 loss at Ibrox.

Dardan Rexhepi had given last season's champions Malmo the lead after six minutes when fans began throwing firecrackers towards the field.

Referee Martin Hansson took the players off the pitch and abandoned the match. "With so many and such powerful explosions, we didn't dare to continue," Hansson said. "In that case we have no choice but to abandon the match."

In May, Malmo's home clash with Helsingborgs was abandoned after half an hour when a supporter ran on to the pitch and pushed the referee. Helsingborgs' goalkeeper was also struck by a firecracker in the lead-up to the attack by the fan. In April, a match between Syrianska and AIK Stockholm was abandoned after a linesman and a ball boy were hit by firecrackers.