Football: Fans' flare hits home bench in Hanover

The German FA is expected to hand out hefty fines to both clubs after a flare fired from the Wolfsburg's fan block hit the underside of the Hanover bench on Tuesday.

The firework was one of several fired by visiting Wolfsburg fans from the away team's block at Hanover's HDI Arena before Tuesday's German league game, but initial reports suggest no one was hurt.

This is not the first time the use of pyrotechnics has marred a Bundesliga match between the north German neighbours recently.

In December 2014, Wolfsburg fans also fired four flares and set off a smoke bomb in the away section of Hanover's stadium.

Both clubs were fined 6,000 euros ($6,500) at the time.

Wolfsburg host Gent in the last 16, second-leg of the Champions League next Tuesday having won the first leg 3-2 in Belgium.

ryj/jc