A World Cup qualifier football match between Syria and Lebanon was abandoned on Thursday after fans began rioting in the stands and outside the stadium.

The referee and both teams left the pitch at the Saida Municipal Stadium in Sidon after the violence broke out.

It is unknown what triggered the outbreak of violence, but a commentator on Abu Dhabi Sports TV said during a live broadcast of the match that some Lebanese fans had appeared to be throwing water bottles at their Syrian counterparts.

“The biggest impact this has is on the Lebanese team,” the commentator said.

“There are other teams that dream of playing such a game on their own soil, like Syria.”

Social media footage showed fans hurling stones at each other outside of the stadium as Lebanese security forces stepped in to break up the clashes.

Syria were winning 3-0 when the game was ended, with 15 minutes to go before the final whistle.