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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport

Chelsea star Eden Hazard grabbed by pitch invader before handing over shirt

Eden Hazard downplayed the disturbing scene which saw him hugged by a pitch-invading fan at the final whistle of Chelsea's 2-1 win at Malmo.

The culprit's grip was released only when the Belgium forward handed over his shirt and UEFA are likely to investigate.

The fan, one of at least four from the home stands who encroached onto the playing surface, was escorted off by stewards, holding the shirt.

Hazard appeared unnerved, but later brushed off the moment.

"It's not an incident. He just asked for my shirt," said Hazard, who came on as a second-half substitute in Thursday night's Europa League last-32 first leg in Sweden.

As well as the small pitch invasion, Uefa is likely to scrutinise Malmo supporters' use of flares and the throwing of drinks over the partition between home and away fans.

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