An Iranian footballer has narrowly avoided serious injury after mistakenly picking up an explosive during an Asian Champions League final in Iran.
Television footage captured the moment that Sepahan midfielder Adel Kolahkaj grabbed the object, thinking it was a piece of harmless debris that had been thrown onto the pitch by a fan.
He is seen casually walking to the sideline and tossing it toward a billboard where it explodes into a fireball.
While early reports suggested it may have been a hand grenade, players and referees were just metres away and were not injured, fuelling suggestions it may have instead been a firework.
Officials immediately suspended the game, Sepahan Football Club's quarter-final against Al-Ahli SC of Saudi Arabia at Shahr Stadium.
After returning to the field, the sides played out a 0-0 draw.
A-League club Adelaide United are competing in the same tournament.
An investigation is underway.
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