Lyon match against Nice delayed because there was too much PAPER on the pitch

Lyon's 1-1 draw with Nice in Ligue 1 on Friday night had to be temporarily stopped after a rather unique pitch invasion. 

The clash at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais was delayed in the 70th minute after fans threw waste paper and leaflets onto the field in windy conditions. 

Stewards were called to remove the debris strewn over the turf using leaf blowers and rakes, as Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes cut a comical figure trudging through the rubbish in the 18-yard box. 

Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes (centre) helps stewards to clear the pitch at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais

Stewards use rakes and leaf blowers to clear the paper debris during Friday night's Ligue 1 match

Lopes and the Lyon stewards work to clear the pitch as the game against Nice is delayed for several minutes

A steward rakes the paper clear from the turf as Lyon are held to a 1-1 draw at home to Nice in Ligue 1

Alexandre Lacazette scored a late equaliser for the hosts, who had Maxwel Cornet sent off in the first-half for catching opposition goalkeeper Yoan Cardinale in the ribs, after Valere Germain had headed Nice in front. 

Lacazette's 19th goal of the season, a cool finish from close-range, keeps Lyon in the hunt for a second-placed finish in Ligue 1. 

Lyon are chasing a second-placed Ligue 1 finish

The result sees Lyon on 56 points, one clear of third-placed Monaco who have played one game less.

Nice winger Hatem Ben Arfa, who has scored 16 league goals this term, nearly doubled the visitors' advantage when he went on a dazzling run, but the former Newcastle star's shot curled just wide of the post. 

Lyon grabbed their equaliser when Mathieu Valbuena's free kick came back off the crossbar. Midfielder Corentin Tolisso rose to head the ball back toward goal and Lacazette pounced to sweep in.   

Midfielder Maxime Gonalons almost won it for Lyon right at the end, but Cardinale did well to save his glancing header.  

Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette celebrates scoring his 82nd minute equaliser agianst Nice on Friday night

Nice's Valere Germain (left) scores a header past Lopes to give the visitors a 1-0 lead in the first-half

Lyon's 19-year-old striker Maxwel Cornet (right) is shown a straight red card for dangerous play 

Nice winger Hatem Ben Arfa (right) vies for possession alongside Lyon centre back Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa

Lyon midfielder Maxime Gonalons (right) tussles for the ball with Nice's Jeremy Pied on Friday night