Hearts' Europa Conference League match away to FC Thun was briefly halted just after kick-off when home supporters set off a large number of pyrotechnics. The smoke from the stands reduced visibility to near zero at one end of the pitch, forcing referee Kyriakos Athanasiou to stop play.
Play Suspended Due to Smoke
The Thun goal was not even visible on television coverage as smoke billowed across the pitch. With the smoke slow to clear, both sets of players were sent for another warm-up in one half of the pitch.
After a delay of around eight minutes, visibility was judged good enough for play to restart, with Hearts awarded an attacking throw-in.
Hearts Nearly Take the Lead
From the restart, Jordi Altena's throw was collected by Claudio Braga, who set up Josh McPake at the back post. McPake hit the target, but Thun goalkeeper Niklas Steffen was able to hold the ball at his near post.
