Pitch invasion calls off Tunisian derby

With Group A leaders Esperance leading 2-0 in the second half, Etoile fans lighted fireworks and threw objects on the visitors’ bench before running into the pitch in numbers.

The shocking incident is likely to cost the 2007 African champions their place in the competition as Esperance will seal qualification if they claimed the match points.

It is the third invasion scene in a game involving a team from Tunisia during the past 16 months.

The first incident took place when Club Africain were playing against Zamalek in the Confederation Cup in Cairo, where hundreds of home fans invaded the pitch at the end of the last 32 game.

A few weeks later, Africain fans were guilty this time as their home match with Sudan’s Hilal was marred by the same scene.