Andre Villas Boas’ Zenit, chasing the title in the Russian league, was at the center of a controversy, when one of its fans hit the opposition’s captain sending him to the hospital.
The game between Dynamo and Zenit was suspended after the fans from St. Petersburg invaded the pitch and one of them punched Moscow’s defender in the head, causing him to go to the emergency room.
Vladimir Granat, the injured player and member of Russia’s national team, will likely miss Thursday’s game but he is said to be fine for the World Cup.
Zenit's fan as he approached and hit Dynamo's player, Vladimir Granat
VIDEO: watch Zenit supporter assault Granat
Soccer Game Abandoned After Dinamo Moscow’s Vladimir Granat Gets Punched by Zenit Fan (Video) http://t.co/VjLaxkFULd
— captainawesome (@dgcpt) May 12, 2014
Vladimir Granat has suffered no lasting damage after being assaulted by a Zenit fan yesterday. Won't play on Thursday but fine for World Cup
— John Bradley (@JBcommentator) May 12, 2014
Zenit St. Peterburg obviously condemned the incident and released a public statement in which it apologized for and guaranteed cooperation in the investigation to arrest the violent fan. The team stated:
“We are […] extremely concerned about the health of […] Vladimir Granat, and wish him a quick recovery. Presently, the police and the club are working to establish the identity of the assailant.”
“We apologise to all of the players and fans.”
Stewards trying to stop home fans from invading the pitch
Kerzhakov can barely be seen through the cloud of smoke
Meanwhile, AVB tried to calm the heated fans and lead Zenit’s players by example into the locker rooms. Disappointment on the Portuguese's face was visible.
Villas Boas can barely hide disappointment as the incident unravels
