Like pistons fans, but with style

Fans throw flares, soccer match ends early

By The Associated Press and Bloomberg News

MILAN, Italy - AC Milan goalkeeper Dida was hit by a flare thrown from the stands, and yesterday's UEFA Champions League quarterfinal match against crosstown rival Internazionale was halted with about 15 minutes to play.

AC Milan was ahead 1-0 in the match and set to advance to the semifinals on a 3-0 aggregate score when Dida was struck on his left shoulder by the flare in the 73rd minute.

The match was stopped. As many as 20 flares were burning in the penalty area.

When referee Markus Merk tried to restart play 10 minutes later, more bottles and lighted flares were thrown. Merk abandoned the match in the 75th minute.

"Tonight's episode doesn't just hurt Inter, but the entire city of Milan," AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti said. "The reaction of the Inter fans was surprising. I've played and coached in Milan for 10 years and I've never seen anything like it."

Inter fans in the crowd of about 80,000 were upset that when Esteban Cambiasso put the ball in the net in the 71st minute, the goal was disallowed because of a foul.

"After the goal was annulled, the fans' anger was understandable, although the reaction of throwing objects onto the field is not justified," Inter defender Ivan Cordoba said.