{"id":96778,"date":"2023-11-30T20:25:25","date_gmt":"2023-11-30T20:25:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stopsmokingway.com\/?p=96778"},"modified":"2023-11-30T20:25:25","modified_gmt":"2023-11-30T20:25:25","slug":"aberdeens-game-is-stopped-as-fans-launch-snowballs-at-hjk-goalkeeper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stopsmokingway.com\/soccer\/aberdeens-game-is-stopped-as-fans-launch-snowballs-at-hjk-goalkeeper\/","title":{"rendered":"Aberdeen's game is stopped as fans launch SNOWBALLS at\u00a0HJK goalkeeper"},"content":{"rendered":"
Aberdeen’s Europa Conference League game with HJK Helsinki was at risk of being abandoned after the Scottish fans decided to pelt the opposing goalkeeper with snowballs.<\/p>\n
HJK keeper\u00a0Niki Maenpaa, 38, was taking a goal-kick in the 52nd minute of their game on Thursday evening when the\u00a0Aberdeen fans decided to launch snowballs at his back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Maenpaa’s team-mates realised what was happening and called out to the referee to do something. As a result, Genc Nuza stopped time and ran over to speak to the fourth official.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The pair discussed what the best course of action would be before approaching Dons captain Jonny Hayes to see if he could talk some sense into the Red Army to prevent the game from being called off.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The stadium announcer also threatened to abandon the game if they continued. As a result, the\u00a0Aberdeen fans refrained from throwing anymore snowballs at the 38-year-old keeper.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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The snowball incident wasn’t the only disruption to play. The players were forced off to allow snow ploughs onto the pitch to clear some of the heavy snowfall off of the surface<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Three snow ploughs took to the pitch to remove as much snow as possible. The grounds staff were seen sweeping the remaining snow into piles around the edge of the pitch<\/p>\n
However, fans found the funny side of it and took to social media to jokingly say: ‘This makes me oddly proud to be Scottish.’ While another added: ‘HJK are snowflakes’.<\/p>\n
The snowball incident wasn’t the only disruption to play. The players were forced to head inside to allow snow ploughs onto the pitch to clear some of the heavy snowfall off of the surface.<\/p>\n
Three snow ploughs took to the pitch to remove as much snow as possible. The grounds staff were seen sweeping the remaining snow into piles around the edge of the pitch.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Thankfully, play was able to continue shortly after, with the game eventually ending 2-2 following goals from\u00a0Boureima Hassane Bande and Santeri Hostikkafor HJK and Angus MacDonald and Duk for Aberdeen.\u00a0<\/p>\n
More to follow…\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Thankfully, play was able to continue shortly after, with the game eventually ending 2-2<\/p>\n