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Shocking scenes as ref injured by smoke grenade thrown on pitch by angry fans during Europa League tie

A match official was injured after being hit by a smoke grenade thrown from the crowd during a Europa League second qualifying round tie between Universitatea Craiova and Budapest Honved on Thursday night.

A mass brawl erupted among the players and staff a minute before the final whistle was about to be blown to signal the end of extra time, and a smoke bomb was thrown onto the pitch from the stands.

The violent scenes began after Honved players surrounded Craiova striker Carlos Fortes, following his attempts to challenge visiting goalkeeper Attila Berla.

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The foreign object struck referee Arnold Hunter, with a lighter also launched from the stands, with the Northern Irish official needing treatment and an ambulance eventually arriving on the pitch meaning the match was halted for over half-an-hour.