Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes narrowly avoids disaster as firecracker explodes inches away from him

ByTom Bennett

Updated 04/12/2016 at 13:31 GMT

Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes was sent to hospital after being struck by a firecracker in Lyon’s game against Metz. The match was subsequently abandoned.

However, Lopes narrowly avoided a far more serious injury by rolling away in the nick of time as the firecracker exploded on the spot where he was receiving treatment.

Metz took a first-half lead at the Stade Saint-Symphorien, but the home fans responded by throwing projectiles at the visiting goalkeeper.

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Lopes was surrounded by concerned players and the Lyon doctors when Metz defender Guido Milan spotted a firecracker by the torso of the goalkeeper.

Both medics and the player reacted quickly, but were still caught by the blast.

Lyon and Metz firecracker

Image credit: AFP

The two sets of players remonstrated with the supporters before the match officials called a halt to proceedings.

"This is very serious,” Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas said of the incident.

"These jets of firecrackers have undermined the integrity of our goalkeeper Anthony Lopes and the doctor.”

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