MOSCOW, November 17 (R-Sport) - Champions Zenit St. Petersburg are threatening to pull out of the Russian Premier League if the punishment for Saturday's incident that led to the abandonment of their game against Dynamo Moscow is too severe.
The referee led the players off the pitch after 36 minutes of the game in Khimki after Dynamo goalkeeper Anton Shunin was hit by a smoke bomb thrown from the stands.
Zenit general director Maxim Mitrofanov said despite the fact the flare came from the away section of the crowd, it was far too early to establish the identity of the culprit, and that Dynamo should take the blame as hosts.
"We don't understand the responsibility that Zenit should bear," Mitrofanov said. "Dynamo oversaw the entry of the fans to the stadium and the ticket sales."
Mitrofanov said that Zenit's shareholders and sponsors could react "extremely negatively" to possible "abuse" of the FA's disciplinary code.
The code states that any fans in the away zone are considered supporters of the visiting team unless proven otherwise.
If authorities take action against Zenit, "it's possible that the decision will be taken that Zenit will cease their participation in the Russian championship."
"The individuals who threw objects onto the pitch, have not been identified at all," said Mitrofanov.
Shunin was taken to hospital with burns to his cornea after the smoke bomb exploded in his face.
