Officers have issued a photo of a man they want to trace following the incident, which took place at the Stadium of Light during Sunderland's home match against Birmingham City on 15 April.

The flare was thrown from the away section of the stadium into the lower north stand.

It landed between the wheels of the young fan's chair, Northumbria Police said.

The victim suffered smoke inhalation and was left shaken, but no other injuries were reported.

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Police have studied CCTV from the stadium and have released a photo of a man who was in the area at the time, and they would like to trace.

The man, or anyone who recognises him, is asked to contact police via the Tell Us Something page of the Northumbria Police website, or by calling 101.

Sunderland won the Sky Bet Championship match 2-1 after initially going behind to a first-half goal from Birmingham's George Hall.