Chelsea’s match with Servette in the UEFA Conference League play-off second leg was suspended on Thursday after fans launched fireworks inside the stadium in chaotic scenes in Switzerland.
The Blues were trailing 2-1 on the night but winning 3-2 on aggregate after their first-leg victory seven days go. In the closing moments, however, frightening scenes unfolded when the Servette fans set off a series of pyrotechnics in the home end.
Fireworks could be clearly seen emanating from the seats and flying through the Geneva sky in a lively display. The game was immediately stopped by referee Marco Di Bello.
The game was brought to a halt in the 89th minute as the lavish firework display continued for several minutes. In addition to the fireworks, flares and other pyrotechnics were lit as the Servette fans chanted loudly.
At one point, Cole Palmer – who came on as a late substitute – was seen perched on the touchline with the ball under his foot as he watched the fireworks explode in the sky.
Once it was clear that it had concluded, the Italian official ordered play to be resumed. As a result, Chelsea faced a nervy six minutes of stoppage time with the home fans creating a raucous atmosphere inside the 30,000-seater stadium.
Enzo Maresca’s men just about got over the line despite being camped in their own box in the final moments of the clash on another night where the Italian’s defensive tactics will come under scrutiny.
Chelsea took an early lead when Mykhaylo Mudryk’s smart play saw him read the bounce of the ball before he was felled by Keigo Tsunemoto. Up stepped Christopher Nkunku and the Frenchman made no mistake, firing into the bottom left corner.
But a combination of lacklustre finishing and sloppy defending saw Servette equalise through Jeremy Guillemenot before the break, giving Servette a glimmer of hope. Enzo Crivelli headed home from the near post on 72 minutes to give Chelsea a massive scare.
Maresca sent on debutant Tyrique George for his debut and Palmer was summoned from the bench later on, with the PFA Young Player of the Year somehow striking against the crossbar inside the box.
Chelsea were given a late fright by Timothe Cognat missed the far post by an agonising few inches in stoppage time, as Maresca’s men clinched their place in the league phase of the competition by the skin of their teeth.
As for Servette, it remains possible that UEFA could launch an investigation into the events that transpired late in the game, with European football’s governing body known for handing out five-figure fines for such behaviour involving pyrotechnics.
