Snake invades Russian Premier League pitch and is dealt with via pitchfork

A Russian Premier League match between Akhmat Grozny and Sochi was interrupted when a snake slithered onto the pitch.

After just six minutes of action, play was stopped when the serpent entered the pitch and positioned itself within the six-yard box of the Akhmat goal.

The camera then pans to a man dressed in black, who seems to try and stop the snake with his foot.

He then goes to grab it with his hand before stepping back and following it around the pitch for a few strides.

With three men, as well as the referee, already stood around the snake, while another man then arrives with a pitchfork before scooping the reptile up and escorting it away to safety – although he did drop it on the way off.

The game did eventually resume, with Sochi taking the lead on 26 minutes through a Daniil Utkin own goal.

On 59 minutes, they made it two when Marko Dugandzic struck his first goal of the season.

Hosts Akhmat pulled one back late on through Gabriel Iancu, but could not find an equaliser.

Both sides sit on three points in the Russian Premier League, with two games played so far.

On the coaching staff at Akhmat is Yaya Toure. The former Manchester City great is the club’s assistant manager.

Upon his appointment in July, the Ivorian announced that he would be donating his salary to a local children’s charity.

Toure seen at Liverpool training camp

He was also spotted at Liverpool‘s pre-season training camp in Austria after Reds forward Sadio Mane invited him.

Mane explained to Liverpool’s official website: “I said, ‘Yaya, do you think it is the best idea to come and watch our training?!’.

“He said, ‘My friend, I’m coming there! Just ask your boss!’

“He’s a good friend of mine so we always keep in touch and when he asked me if I can ask the boss whether he can come to watch training I said, ‘With pleasure’, and I think the boss was happy to have Yaya with us today to watch training and learn something because I wish him all the best.”

Featured Image Credit: Russian Premier Liga