Russian football fans fired a flare at a Champions League match referee in the middle of a game

Spartak Moscow fans lit flares and smoke bombs in the away section at Maribor, Slovenia.Screenshot

A Champions League football match between Spartak Moscow and Maribor was disrupted when Russian fans fired a flare onto the pitch, and nearly hit the referee.

UEFA, the governing body of football in Europe, could investigate Spartak Moscow as its fans appeared to launch a flare at referee Deniz Aytekin.

The match was temporarily suspended as the flare, fired from the away end during the first half, landed within metres of Aytekin in the centre circle.

Fortunately, neither Aytekin or any players were hit.

You can watch video footage of the flare incident here:

Business Insider contacted UEFA for comment. The body said it was waiting to compile the match reports before it could say anything officially.

Because Aytekin appeared to see the flare and suspend the game, it will likely be included in his report, meaning UEFA could investigate.

The flare was not the only incident of crowd trouble as visiting fans also clashed with local police before kick-off, according to a report on the BBC.

Wednesday’s match between Spartak Moscow and Maribor ended 1-1.