Sequence of events at African Champions League final

The sequence of events at the riot-torn African Champions League final between Hearts of Oak and Esperance in Accra on Sunday:

18th minute: Esperance open the scoring from a corner with Hassen Gabsi's flying header putting the Tunisian side back in contention after they lost the first leg 2-1 in Tunis earlier this month.

40th minute: South African referee Robin Willams issues three yellow cards in four minutes as rough tackling and shirt pulling punctuate a tough physical match.



45th minute: The referee and his two linesmen are pelted with plastic bags filled with water as they head back to the changing room with Hearts supporters seemingly angry over the failure of the officials to clampdown on the Tunisian's hard tackling.

74th minute: The crowd in a section to the north of the main stand throw an assortment of objects at linesman Achmat Sallie after a succession of close offside decisions. Police move in to form a human shield as objects begin to rain down.

76th minute: Tear gas is fired in the upper stands and then in the general direction of the VIP box, where Ghana vice president John Atta Mills and CAF president Issa Hayatou are forced to flee onto the athletics track surrounding the field.

77th minute: Supporters of Esperance clamour over a high wire fence to seek refuge on the track as well as the tear gas begins to drift across the main stand.

79th minute: Play is suspended as the tear gas drifts onto the field, affecting the players and match officials. Some lay on the grass seeking relief from the burning sensation. Others flee in the direction of the changing rooms. The public address announcer says: "Calm down, stay cool" repeatedly.

81st minute: Tunisian goalkeeper Chokri El Ouaer is handed a sharp object by a young Esperance fan, wearing a team jersey. He hits himself on the side of the head with the object, cutting a gash on his face. He then dramatically runs towards the halfway line and collapses onto the turf.
Esperance officials and fans and photographers surround him. His bizarre act is seen by officials and journalists on the side of the pitch. The young fan sits down on the Esperance bench, where photographers are prevented from taking his picture by other Esperance supporters. The fan then changes his shirt and pouts on a Manchester United strip before being taken away toward the Esperance change room.

82nd minute: Referee Williams is accosted by officials of both teams. He waves them away while police move in to protect him. The hold-up continues for several minutes when El Ouaer is treated. Police, meanwhile, attempt to clear spectators and officials from the pitch and are involved in numerous scuffles, including with Esperance players.
After 18 minutes the game resumes with Gabsi moved from midfield to goalkeeper and the reserve goalkeeper Mohamed Zouabi sent from the bench to the changing room.

83rd minute: Hearts captain Emmanuel Osei Kuffour equalises to set off a flurry of firecrackers from the stands as home fans are whipped into a frenzy of celebration.
86th minute: Esperance winger Walid Azaiez butts Hearts defender Dan Quaye and is sent off by the referee. His Brazilian-born team mate Reinaldo chases after the referee and grabs the officials, shaking him.
Azaiez refuses to leave the pitch and is eventually dragged off by one of his team mates. As he leaves the pitch he punches a policeman standing on the side of the pitch.

89th minute: Hearts made sure of their first African title with two more goals in the dying stages before the final whistle sees a massed invasion of the pitch. Police on horses canter onto the field to clear the crowd.
Esperance head straight to their changing room, refusing to accept their silver medals and the trophy is handed to Osei Kuffour amid scenes of utter chaos.
Fans snatch at the trophy and the Ghanaian side quickly abandon plans for a lap of honour.