Former European Champions' 52,000-Seat Stadium Transformed into a Charred Wreck After Rival Arson Attack

RED STAR BELGRADE’s stadium looks unrecognisable after rivals Partizan set fire to it during their fiery clash on Sunday.

The Serbian giants were left horrified by the shocking scenes in the away end during this weekend’s ‘Eternal Derby’.

Footage has shown the aftermath of Red Star Belgrade’s stadium after a fire broke outCredit: X Many of the seats were charred after the blaze was started by rival Partizan fansCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk Many seats had to be ripped out and thrown onto the pitch after being damaged in the fireCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk The stadium in the Serbian capital was covered in debrisCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk

Firefighters were called to the scene after a , which caused the game to be stopped temporarily.

It happened after had gone 2-0 up in the 56th minute thanks to former and star ‘s goal.

Video footage showed huge flames breaking out as some Partizan fans were forced to move away from the section.

After a brief stoppage to allow the fire to be extinguished, the game got underway again in the 64th minute.

Now new footage has shown the shocking aftermath of the blaze, with debris scattered across the edge of the pitch.

It also highlights rows of charred seats, with many scorched and burnt in the fire.

Some seats were so badly damaged they had to be ripped out and thrown onto the pitch.

Fans described the scenes as “insane”, as some claimed Serbian football was “next level”.

The game had to be temporarily halted after the shocking scenes on Sunday nightCredit: Getty Firefighters were called to tackle the flames as fans were forced to move out of the sectionCredit: Getty Officials managed to extinguish the blaze after concern from players on the pitchCredit: AFP

Red Star – who won the European Cup in 1991 – ended up winning the clash 3-0 as Vasilije Kostov and Aleksandar Katai joined Arnautovic on the scoreboard.

It helped the home side extend their lead over Partizan to four points after a fourth straight win.

Defender Strahinja Erakovic said after the game: “An important victory. We deserved to win. We are preparing for Thursday, now every next game is the most important for us. I also thank the fans.

“I’m not the most happy with how I played today. It doesn’t matter that we won 3-0. Not to be rude, but I think that’s a real strength of us and them right now.

“We could have played better in the first half and the result could have been better. We [still] showed that we are five times better team than them.”

Meanwhile, ex-Spurs star Milos Veljkovic added: “I think we played a mature game.

“In the first half, they did a good job of pressing, but we scored the first goal at the right moment and that meant a lot to us.

“We played even better in the second half and deserved to win. I thank the fans for coming. It was one of the best games I’ve ever played, really thanks for everything.”

The ‘Eternal Derby’ is one of the most fearsome rivalries in world footballCredit: AFP