PLAY was stopped during a World Cup qualifier after a SINKHOLE appeared on the pitch late in the game.

Players and officials at Austria 's home match against Cyprus on Saturday were perplexed when the hole was spotted after 75 minutes of play.

Danish ref Jakob Kehlet brought play to a halt while the sinkhole was inspected.

The hole, which appeared deep and wide enough to fit a full football inside, was situated on the edge of Austria stopper Alexander Schlager's box.

Staff at the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz rushed with buckets of sand to attempt to make the surface safe enough for play to continue.

Football fans had reactions ranging from genuine concern to mockery as the teams waited for the all-clear to continue.

One user said: "What the heck. Huge health risk. one wrong step and

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