For the first time in 33 years, a Russian team has reached a major European club football final.  CSKA Moscow earned the right to play Sporting Lisbon for the UEFA Cup with a 3-0 home win over Parma on Thursday.

What should have been a great day for Russian football, however, was marred by an incident in which CSKA fans threw a firecracker onto the pitch.  The firecracker hit Parma goalkeeper Luca Bucci on the head, and he had to be helped from the field suffering with concussion.

Parma have lodged an appeal and, although CSKA are unlikely to be thrown out of the competition, they could face a similar penalty to Inter Milan who, after their fans threw a firecracker at an opponent’s goalkeeper last month, are to play their next six home games in an empty stadium.

Now, sadly, what should have been one of the greatest matches in the history of Russian football will be played under a cloud.