Sturm Graz have hit out at the fan that left an assistant referee needing stitches after he was hit with a missile thrown from the stands. The Austrian outfit had been playing Cypriot side AEK Larnaca in the Europa League when the match was stopped with Swedish assistant referee Fredrik Klyver on the ground.
In a statement on their website, Sturm Graz said: "This behaviour of a fan in today's UEFA Europa League game is by no means acceptable. This damages the reputation of football and us as a club. "We always try to see football as a positive celebration and to tackle these things. Fair play is our top priority. We are sorry that today we have disappointed many football fans."
Fredrik Klyver received treatment at the side of the pitch for a nasty gash before being helped from the field of play with a bandage around his head. After a delay of about 24 minutes, he was replaced by fourth official Magnus Lindgren and the match was resumed. Larnaca went on to win 2-0.
Stefan Johannesson, head of the Swedish FA, revealed to the Swedish press that Klyver was taken to hospital and needed stitches. He told Aftonbladet that he found it "very strange" the match was not abandoned and continued to the final whistle. Johannesson said: "It is UEFA who decides, but personally, I do not understand why they make such a decision. Had this happened in Sweden, we would have abandoned the match."
