Brazilian football team's bus bombed with players injured and taken to hospital

Numerous players were injured and one rushed to hospital after a bomb exploded inside a Brazilian football team's bus ahead of a fixture on Thursday night.

Bahia posted pictures showing their vehicle with a large hole in the rear windows and seats splattered with blood, while a nearby car was also struck by the blast.

The ordeal occurred as the club, who are based in coastal city of Salvador, arrived at Arena Fonte Nova for their home game against Sampaio Correa in the Copa do Nordeste.

Bahia goalkeeper Danilo Fernandes required hospitalisation after he was hit in the face with shrapnel.

A statement on the club's official Twitter account confirmed the news and cast doubt on whether the fixture would go ahead.

"Esporte Clube Bahia reports that a bomb exploded inside the team's bus on arrival at Fonte Nova and athletes were injured," the statement reads.

"The most worrying case is that of goalkeeper Danilo Fernandes, who was hit by shrapnel in the face and already taken to a hospital. Group discusses if there will be a game."

A subsequent statement confirmed the shot-stopper would spend the night in hospital having had stitches for his injuries, which included a cut near his eye.

Bahia added: "Danilo Fernandes is fine, but will spend the night in the hospital.

"The goalkeeper had multiple injuries to his face, neck and lower limbs, which had to be sutured, and will be under observation for further examinations and an ophthalmologist's evaluation, as there is a cut near the eye."

While it is remarkable no one was more seriously injured by the bomb, even more astonishing is the fact Bahia decided to fulfil the fixture in the wake of the harrowing experience.

Confirming his side would play their match, manager Guto Ferreira said: "The squad, with dignity and professionalism, are going to take the field to honour the Bahia colours."

Was it the right decision to proceed with the match? Have your say in the comments...

Bahia defeated Sampaio Correa 2-0 in their first Copa do Nordeste group-stage match thanks to a first-half opener from Daniel Sampaio Simoes and a late second from Hugo Rodallega.

The club, who have won the Brazilian top flight twice, were sent supportive messages by their domestic rivals including Rio de Janeiro-based side Botafogo, who wrote: "Unacceptable. Criminal act that needs serious investigation. Botafogo stands with our colleagues at Bahia."

It remains to be seen how the bomb got onto the bus or who the culprit was.

Bahia paid tribute to their players after the match by writing: "They decided to enter the field and honoured the shirt."