Soccer Football - Europa League - Group A - F91 Dudelange v Qarabag - Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg - October 3, 2019 General view as a drone flies over the pitch interrupting the match REUTERS/Francois Walschaerts
(Reuters) - A drone forced a temporary halt to play during the first half of F91 Dudelange's Europa League Group A clash at home to FK Qarabag on Thursday.
Azerbaijan side Qarabag were leading 2-0 when the drone, carrying a flag, was spotted flying over the pitch at the Josy Barthel stadium, forcing the match officials to suspend play for around 15 minutes.
According to reports the flag was that of the Republic of Artsakh -- a de facto independent state with an Armenian ethnic majority that is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan. Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought several conflicts over the region.
Soccer Football - Europa League - Group A - F91 Dudelange v Qarabag - Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg - October 3, 2019 General view as a drone flies over the pitch interrupting the match REUTERS/Francois Walschaerts
In bizarre scenes Qarabag players tried to down the invading craft by kicking the ball at it.
Shortly after play resumed Qarabag increased their lead from the penalty spot and went on to win 4-1.
Soccer Football - Europa League - Group A - F91 Dudelange v Qarabag - Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg - October 3, 2019 F91 Dudelange's Antoine Bernier in action with Qarabag's Badavi Huseynov REUTERS/Francois Walschaerts
(Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
Soccer Football - Europa League - Group A - F91 Dudelange v Qarabag - Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg - October 3, 2019 Qarabag's Dani Quintana celebrates scoring their fourth goal with Simeon Slavchev REUTERS/Francois WalschaertsSoccer Football - Europa League - Group A - F91 Dudelange v Qarabag - Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg - October 3, 2019 Qarabag and F91 Dudelange players shake each others hands after the match REUTERS/Francois WalschaertsSoccer Football - Europa League - Group A - F91 Dudelange v Qarabag - Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg - October 3, 2019 Qarabag's Richard Almeida scores their third goal from the penalty spot REUTERS/Francois WalschaertsSoccer Football - Europa League - Group A - F91 Dudelange v Qarabag - Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg - October 3, 2019 Qarabag's Michel celebrates scoring their second goal with Richard Almeida REUTERS/Francois WalschaertsSoccer Football - Europa League - Group A - F91 Dudelange v Qarabag - Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg - October 3, 2019 Qarabag's Michel scores their second goal REUTERS/Francois WalschaertsSoccer Football - Europa League - Group A - F91 Dudelange v Qarabag - Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg - October 3, 2019 Qarabag's Michel in action with F91 Dudelange's Mario Pokar REUTERS/Francois WalschaertsSoccer Football - Europa League - Group A - F91 Dudelange v Qarabag - Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg - October 3, 2019 Qarabag's Abdellah Zoubir celebrates scoring their first goal with Richard Almeida REUTERS/Francois Walschaerts
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