Mars bars, rats and cats: the strangest objects thrown on to a football pitch | The Knowledge
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“Last month’s Eliteserien game between Rosenborg and Lillestrøm was abandoned when fans threw tennis balls and fish cakes on to the pitch in a protest against VAR. Apart from a pig’s head, what other peculiar items have been thrown on to a football pitch?” wonders Håvard Johansen.
We had this question in 2006, but that was 18 years ago and folk have been lobbing all sorts since then. First, let’s have a quick recap of the identified flying objects we mentioned back then.
A pig’s head Barcelona v Real Madrid, 2000-01 (Luis Figo’s return)
Mars bars Newcastle v Spurs, 1988-89 (Paul Gascoigne’s return, although Chris Waddle was also encouraged to work, rest and play)
A half-eaten hamburger Liverpool v Man Utd, 2005-06 (for the attention of Gary Neville)
Tennis balls Bolton v Hull City, 1998-99 (protest against David Lloyd)
A scooter Internazionale v Atalanta, 2000-01 (it didn’t quite make it onto the field but three points for trying)
A bottle of rum and a living cat Sevilla v Betis, 2005-06
The front half of a dead cat Charlton v Luton, 1981-82
Pants Reading v Wrexham, 1999-2000 (because Reading were pants)
A car door New Zealand v Chile, 1998
A wheelbarrow América v São Caetano, 2004 (during a post-match brawl)
A hand grenade Brentford v Millwall, 1965-66 (for the attention of Chic Brodie)