UEFA admits it is difficult to keep flares out of stadiums

UEFA has admitted it is almost impossible to ensure supporters do not bring flares or fireworks into grounds after another incident involving such items at Euro 2016.

Flares were thrown from the Hungary end during their 1-1 draw with Iceland in Marseille on Saturday.

As Hungary's players celebrated their side's late equaliser after Iceland's Birkir Saevarsson scored an own goal, the team's supporters threw flares which landed on the field of play and among nearby police officers.

Several loud bangs were heard and there was a cloud of smoke, with the restart delayed as a result, but UEFA insists preventing such incidents from occurring is extremely difficult.

"Despite thorough body and bag searches at the stadium entrances, it is extremely difficult to completely eliminate the risk that fireworks are brought into the stadiums," UEFA told Associated Press.

There were also problems before the match in the south of France, with Hungarian fans clashing with stewards and a small group of French police as they attempted to cross into another stand at the Stade Velodrome and join a hardcore fan group behind the goal.

A flare was later waved during the national anthems in the Hungarian end and a firecracker was thrown onto the field from the same part of the stand after the referee awarded the penalty.

Another flare was lit after the final whistle when Hungarian players ran to celebrate with supporters.

With Hungary already facing a UEFA charge for the use of fireworks in their opening 2-0 win over Austria, they now face a significant fine from UEFA after repeated crowd trouble. 

Marseille was also the focus of trouble before, during and after England's opening Euro 2016 game with Russia, with both sides warned they could be thrown out of the competition if there were any more serious issues involving their supporters.