Flying ad boards send footballers scurrying

Footballers at a Portuguese league game had to be on danger alert after heavy winds repeatedly sent advertising boards flying across the pitch.

Play between Primeira Liga sides Nacional and Estoril had to be stopped on several occasions after the potentially deadly projectiles were catapulted across the field at Estadio da Madeira.

Footage of the match showed the boards breaking free and flying onto the field with wind gusts of up to 80km/h.

But fortunately there were no close calls for players, who were quick to react when the structures broke free to ensure they were not struck.

On several occasions players picked up the boards and dragged them off the field before play resumed.

Eventually officials halted the match long enough to allow all the hoardings to be removed.

The game ended with a 1-0 home win for Nacional, courtesy of a Luis Joao goal.