ADVERTISEMENT

Bloodied hooligans, a smoke-filled stadium, and riot police — Serbian rival teams play a football match in insanely hostile conditions

The Eternal Derby between Red Star Belgrade and Partizan Belgrade is considered to be one of the greatest football rivalries of all time.

A match in Serbia was marred by bloody violence on Wednesday evening.

ADVERTISEMENT

Partizan Belgrade welcomed Red Star Belgrade to the Stadion Partizana for a SuperLiga match but play was interrupted because of clashes between hooligan fans of both teams.

Supporters lit torches and threw smoke bombs on the pitch before engaging in a mass brawl.

Riot police were forced to make arrests.

ADVERTISEMENT

You can see the intense matchday photographs below.

This is a match between Red Star Belgrade and Partizan Belgrade, two Serbian teams that compete in the country's SuperLiga.

It may look like any other football game, but matches between these two sides are dubbed the 'Eternal Derby' and the animosity between the Belgrade clubs is seen as one of the fiercest rivalries on the planet.

Wednesday's league game between Partizan and Red Star was no different. And it was not long before smoke bombs were launched onto the pitch.

Play was frequently interrupted as visibility deteriorated, but the match was never called off.

ADVERTISEMENT

Fans of both sides lit torches, flares, and flew flags as the game got underway.

But trouble in the stands quickly marred the match as supporters started fighting.

Match-day police, complete with riot gear, were on the scene to deal with the clashes.

The riot police rounded-up the troublemakers and made on-pitch arrests before ushering them out of the ground.

17 people suffered injuries, according to Sky Sports News.

ADVERTISEMENT

Despite the interruptions, the match carried on as normal and finished in a 1-1 draw.

FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Recommended articles

Africa's gaming gold rush: Unveiling the surge in online gambling

Africa's gaming gold rush: Unveiling the surge in online gambling

Seven African countries added to Meta's AI service coverage

Seven African countries added to Meta's AI service coverage

10 African countries with the lowest inflation rates in 2024

10 African countries with the lowest inflation rates in 2024

Davido launches his label Nine+ in partnership with UnitedMasters

Davido launches his label Nine+ in partnership with UnitedMasters

Nigeria's economic ranking drops to fourth in Africa

Nigeria's economic ranking drops to fourth in Africa

Moscow inaugurates its House of Africa

Moscow inaugurates its House of Africa

The CBN justifies $2b billion loss in forex, dispelling Naira defense claims

The CBN justifies $2b billion loss in forex, dispelling Naira defense claims

10 best airports in Africa in 2024

10 best airports in Africa in 2024

10 most expensive cities in Africa in 2024

10 most expensive cities in Africa in 2024

ADVERTISEMENT