Ottawa Police are investigating an "incident" during the Ottawa Fury FC game at TD Place.
It happened during the second half of the Canadian Championship semi-final match between the Fury FC and Toronto FC.
I posted a close up video clip earlier, but that clip does not capture the entire event. This one (taken from my stationary Facebook live feed covering the entire pitch) shows the entire event. #FuryFC #TorontoFC #TFC #CanChamp #USL #MSL #ottnews pic.twitter.com/rObru15OTb
— Fury Fan From Above (@FuryFanAbove) July 19, 2018
In a statement, OSEG says "members of the TFC supporters group smuggled a small quantity of fireworks into the stadium and ignited them." OSEG adds the "fireworks flared and boomed for a short time and were quickly extinguished by TD Place security."
No one was hurt, and OSEG says the perpetrators were ejected from the stadium.
The flare didn’t last long and the game continued after the debris was cleaned from the stands as well as debris that ended up on the field.
How the flame ended up in the stands is still not confirmed. OSEG says all members of the visiting supporters group had been subjected to bag checks and security scans prior to entering the stadium, adding "no fireworks or other devices were detected."
Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group could face a fine for letting the flare get through security.
OSEG says TFC has "apologized for the behaviour of the members of the supporters group responsible for igniting the fireworks."
Official Statement - Ottawa Fury FC v Toronto FC - July 18 pic.twitter.com/vjk4z42pfj
— OSEG_Media (@OSEG_Media) July 19, 2018
Flares, some fire and a few ejections for TFC fans @OttawaFuryFC game pic.twitter.com/kZ4M5Rufu6
— John Rodenburg (@TSNJR) July 19, 2018
To the small Toronto group who lit our stadium on fire and put our guests at risk....I’m sorry that you are unhappy with how your lives are turning out and the embarrassment you bring to your club and city. You aren’t supporters. I hope you can pull your personal crap together. https://t.co/UfEPJpbn0e
— Mark Goudie ⚽️ (@OSEGMarkGoudie) July 19, 2018