Football
ESPN staff 7y

Ligue 1 match at Metz abandoned after firecrackers hit Lyon's Anthony Lopes

Lyon's Lique 1 game at FC Metz was abandoned on Saturday after a number of firecrackers exploded near goalkeeper Anthony Lopes in the first half.

The first device was thrown into the six-yard box, apparently from the stands, after Metz took a 1-0 lead at home in the 28th minute.

Lopes was affected by the explosion and fell to the pitch, and as trainers rushed to his aid a second explosion occurred away from any players.

While the trainers and a small group of players from both sides congregated around Lopes, another firecracker landed in their midst.

Metz defender Guido Milan saw the device on the grass and tried to warn players away, but Lopes and a Lyon trainer were still caught in the blast.

The referee told both sides to return to the dressing room, and though Lyon's Twitter account inititally said the match should resume, it was later called off after a delay of nearly an hour.

Lopes, who has won two senior Portugal caps and was part of his country's victorious Euro 2016 squad, was taken to a hospital to undergo tests.

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas said on their Twitter account: "It's very serious, these firecrackers have injured our keeper Anthony Lopes, the doctor also."

Maxwel Cornet added: "We were worried about Antho, we hope everything will be fine for him."

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