A Canadian football (soccer) game nearly descended into chaos on Wednesday when fans of Toronto FC threw flares onto the pitch and set off a smoke grenade.

The Toronto team was taking on home side Ottowa Fury FC in the Canadian Soccer Championship semi-final game when a group of "hooligans" threw a flare onto the pitch, started burning their banners and then set off the smoke grenade.

Somehow the players were able to carry on the game despite all the commotion.

Toronto FC played Ottawa Fury FC in the Canadian Soccer Championship semi-final game on July 18, 2018. A group of Toronto FC supporters (hooligans) made the trip up to Ottawa. In the 71st minute of the game, a hooligan threw a flare onto the pitch. A fire was set in the stands, burning their banners and flags. A security guard runs onto the pitch to retrieve the burning flare, and shortly after an explosion from a suspected concussion grenade goes off. The soccer players on the pitch keep playing the entire time.