Ligue 1 tie abandoned after goalkeeper hit by projectile

The Ligue match between minnows Montpellier and Clermont Foot was abandoned with mere minutes left after the away side’s goalkeeper, Mory Diaw, was injured by fireworks thrown onto the pitch.

The ill-tempered affair served up premium entertainment as both sides saw a player sent off, including Neto Borges, who saw red in the third minute of added time.

Borges was sent off for giving the middle finger to the supporters in the section of the Stade de la Mosson where the firecracker that injured goalkeeper Diaw was thrown, and he joined Montpellier’s Maxime Esteve for an early shower just before the match was abandoned.

The resulting melee from Diaw’s assault and injury led to Clermont players leaving the pitch in protest, and referee Florent Batta was forced to call an early end to proceedings when Montpellier players also left the pitch.

Prior to the abandonment of the match, Montpellier was in the lead after braces from captain Teji Savanier and forward Mousa Al-Taamari helped the home side to a 4-2 lead over Clermont.

The away side saw goals from Cheick Konate and Yohan Magnin but were firmly in the process of losing their sixth match of the Ligue 1 season when the match was abruptly halted.

Senegalese goalkeeper Diaw was forced off in a stretcher after the impact from the firecracker but there have been no updates about the 30-year-old’s condition after the match.