Chelsea star Ben Chilwell has smoke canister thrown at him by Dortmund fans as referee is forced to halt match

BEN CHILWELL had a smoke canister thrown at him by Borussia Dortmund fans, forcing the referee to momentarily halt play.

The incident occurred minutes before Raheem Sterling fired the Blues ahead in Tuesday’s Champions League clash.

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Play was halted after Dortmund fans threw a smoke canister at Ben ChilwellCredit: BT Sport

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The incident happened as Chilwell took a cornerCredit: Getty

Chelsea went into the last 16 battle a goal down from the first leg.

And they spurned several good chances to go ahead, with Joao Felix and Kai Havertz going close.

Chelsea faced a tough ask against a Dortmund side with a 100 per cent record in 2023.

And the travelling fans made themselves heard with non-stop singing and the occasional yellow flare on the field.

Some even stormed the barriers before kick-off following a 10-minute delay to proceedings.

But there were ugly scenes late in the first half when Blues star Chilwell took a corner in front of the Dortmund fans.

A number of items were hurled at the England left-back.

And one of them appeared to be a smoke canister.

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Dortmund fans let off a yellow smoke canister early on in the gameCredit: Getty

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Chelsea had the last laugh as they scored minutes after the incidentCredit: Getty

The incident saw referee Danny Makkelie stop play to remove the offending object.

But Chilwell and Chelsea were not put off their stride as Sterling levelled the tie with a strike in the 43rd minute.

Chilwell was then needed to stop a Dortmund equaliser just before the whistle, making a smart block in his own box.

It wasn’t the first incident the game involving a smoke canister, with commentators finding it hard to see the pitch after one was let off early on.

The BT commentary team said: “It’s difficult for you to see at home through the yellow mist.

“It’s difficult for us as well from the commentary position as we’ve got the lights shining on the mist and it’s really affecting everyone’s view and vantage point inside Stamford Bridge.”

Chelsea picked up where they left off in the second half as they won a 49th minute penalty for a Dortmund handball.

Havertz, who was confirmed as Chelsea’s new penalty taker this week, hit the post with his effort.

But the spot-kick was controversially retaken after a Dortmund player appeared to enter the box as the initial hit was taken.

Havertz made no mistake the second time around as he buried his effort in the corner.