Europa game interrupted by fan violence

Lukas Pauschek, left, from Slovan Bratislava walks past players of RB Salzburg celebrating a goal during their Europa League Group F soccer match in Bratislava, Slovakia, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011. Petr David Josek/AP

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — A Europa League match between former Czechoslovak rivals Slovan Bratislava and Sparta Prague had to be interrupted for more than half an hour due to fighting between fans.

Swedish referee Martin Strombergsson interrupted the game in the 41st minute after Sparta fans attacked Slovan supporters in the stands.

The match continued only after order was restored by riot police who were deployed with an apparent delay.

Sparta won 3-0.

It was the first match between the two most famous Czech and Slovak teams since Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993.

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