Thunderstorm forces Swiss players including Akanji back onto pitch

Switzerland beat Jordan 4-1 in St. Gallen, but a sudden thunderstorm forced the Swiss players back onto the field after the final whistle. The match ended at 19:45 CET, and officials halted play as lightning approached the stadium. Players had begun to leave the pitch when the storm intensified. Referee instructed them to remain until safety crews cleared the area. Brennan Akanji removed his shirt before being called back to the sidelines. Akanji and teammates complied with the directive despite the unexpected delay. Heavy rain and thunder created low visibility on the grass. St. Gallen's floodlights stayed on to keep the area illuminated. No further minutes were played and the result stood as 4-1. There were no injuries reported among players or staff. The Swiss Football Association said it will review weather protocols before the next qualifier. Switzerland prepares for its upcoming match against Italy next week.