Montenegro's Kascelan Ashamed for Fan’s Flare Attack on Russian Keeper

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Montenegro national football team midfielder Mladen Kascelan who also plays for Russian Arsenal Tula said Sunday he is disappointed and ashamed for March 27 incident during the Euro 2016 qualifier when a fan threw a flare hurting Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev.

On Friday, Euro 2016 Group G qualifier between Russia and Montenegro was suspended after Akinfeev was hit by the flare on the first minute of the game in Podgorica. After a 40-minutes suspension, the game resumed. However, due a repeated attack by the fans, the game was finally canceled.

On Saturday, Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko told R-Sport news agency that Akinfeev had received a brain concussion and suffered a burn of neck.

“I am just disappointed and ashamed. Firstly I would like to tell all the fans I’m sorry. We were a expecting a big football event and all we received was a huge scandal. Now [everybody] sees us [Montenegrins] as some barbarians, and I feel sad about it. Because I know that Montenegrins are open and hospitable, we have long friendly ties with Russians,” Kascelan said as quoted on the official website of Tula Arsenal.

Kascelan added that on March 27 “he lived through the worst moments of his career” and that he does not understand how aggressive fans like that are even allowed at stadiums.

“Some 10 idiots have ruined it all,” Kascelan said.

Montenegro team can be handed a forfeit defeat for not meeting safety requirements during the game in compliance with the UEFA regulations.