Europa League clash disrupted by violence as fans run onto the pitch for safety (photos/video)

- The Europa League clash between Lyon and Beskitas was delayed for 45 minutes due to fan trouble

- Supporters of the French club had to flee unto the pitch as Besiktas fans attacked them violently

- Fireworks were set off and missiles thrown towards Lyon fans from the Besiktas section in the upper tier

- Jean-Michel Aulas, Lyon president, courageously attempted to end the violence bystepping onto the pitch

- The match started 45 minutes after its supposed kick off time with Lyon winning the game 2 - 1

The Europa League clash between Lyon and Besiktas was delayed for 45 minutes as supporters of the Turkish club violently attacked the French side's fans.

Lyon fans has to flee onto the pitch in terror after being attacked by violent Beskitas fans who set off fireworks, smoke bombs and threw missiles at them.

The violence in the Parc Olympique Lyonnais stadium was the culmination hours of clashing among rival French and Turkish followers earlier in the city.

NAIJ.com gathered that the violence erupted twenty minutes prior to the 8.05pm kick-off as fans ran onto the field fearing for their lives.

Lyon and Besiktas fans clash before Europa League tie (photos/video)

Lyon and Besiktas fans attack each other

Fans of the Turkish club have been clashing with French police all afternoon ahead of the quarter-final tie.

Fans ran unto the pitch

In an attempt to stop the violence, Jean-Michel Aulas, Lyon president, went onto the pitch attempting to restore order as security forces arrived.

Fans who clashed with armoured police, were mostly wearing black signalling the club’s Ultras – and some waving the Turkish flag and letting off smoke bombs.

A number of stewards and fans were injured in the melle but they were taken away by police and treated by the medics.