Albania 0-1 Poland: Home fans halt play after visiting players hit by objects

Last update on.
After the incident at Air Albania Stadium, the players left the pitch and remained there for over 20 minutes

After home fans began throwing objects at visiting players, Poland's World Cup qualifying win over Albania in Tirana was halted for more than 20 minutes.

With 13 minutes left in their Group I fixture, Karol Swiderski gave Poles the lead.

He and his teammates were then attacked with plastic bottles from the stands. The players had to flee the pitch.

Play resumed, and Poland jumped ahead of Albania to take the second spot.

Piotr Zielinski, a Poland midfielder, was also hit with an object by the crowd before the incident that prompted the long delay.

Swiderski's post-match interview was cut short by Jakub Kwiatkowski, Poland manager, who encouraged him to leave after bottles were again thrown at his head.

The players of Poland were forced to defend themselves against bottles from Albanian fans.

Robert Lewandowski, Poland captain, said that after the goal, there were full bottles coming in. It was quite dangerous. But, we returned and won the game.

Albania is bidding to reach the World Cup finals first time. They will travel to Wembley next month to face England, before finishing their campaign at home in Andorra.

Three points behind Gareth Southgate’s side in Poland, Poland travels to Andorra, before hosting Hungary in November.