AFP reports that the entire Ukrainian international football setup, including our own Oleg 'Moose' Luzhny, were close to death when an aeroplane engine caught fire as they left Yerevan following Euro2000 and U21 matches against Armenia.

The port engine on the plane emitted a series of loud bangs before exploding as the plane began to taxi. The pilot was able to slam on the brakes and bring the plane to a halt, with all 170 people on board escaping unhurt.

Just what we need - another player developing an irrational fear of flying.