Dnipro supporters appear to attack FC Copenhagen fans as referee Andre Marriner halts Champions League qualifier for 15 minutes



Dnipro fans appeared to attack stewards and FC Copenhagen fans

Incident took place at half-time of their Champions League qualifier

Match refereed by English official Andre Marriner



Match finished 0-0, return leg on August 6

Fighting between rival fans caused a 15-minute interruption to the Champions League qualifier between Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk and FC Copenhagen at the Olimpiysky stadium in Kiev on Wednesday.

Supporters of the Danish club were attacked by an unidentified group of people believed to be Dnipro fans and were forced to seek refuge under the stands with Premier League referee Andre Marriner postponing the start of the second half for 15 minutes.

VIDEO Scroll down to see Dnipro hooligans attacking fans and stewards



Start: Dnipro fans rushed down towards the fence where FC Copenhagen fans were

FC Copenhagen issued a letter of complaint to UEFA, a representative of the Danish club told a news conference after the 0-0 draw.

'A few fans of our club were attacked by the Ukrainian fans and were forced to run away from the stands. It is very unpleasant for us. We have complained to UEFA. We will refrain from further comments until after an investigation,' he said.

A representative of Dnipro fans who gave his name as Vlad in an interviewed with local TV broadcaster 2+2, accused Danish supporters of sparking the fighting by waving a Russian flag.

'I would like to apologise for this incident. It was some sort of a provocation. The Danish fans demonstrated the flag of the neighboring country, that is why we saw the brawl. The incident was inflammatory because of politics,' he said.

Ukrainian government forces are fighting pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country after Russia's annexation of the Crimean peninsula in March.

On the fence: It remains to be seen as to whether Dnipro will be punished for the actions of their fans

Delay: Referee Andre Marriner had to call the game to a half for 15 minutes

Scuffle: The Dnipro fans then proceed to fight with stewards and opposition fans below the railings

Escape: The Ukranian fans were eventually chased away and they jumped back in to the stands