French football was thrown into disarray on Saturday night, when the high-profile Ligue 1 match between Metz and Lyon was abandoned.
Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes was hospitalised after a firecracker thrown from the stand, felled the Portuguese international. A second firecracker also exploded near Lopes and the Lyon club doctor.
The home side led 1-0 when the game was abandoned after 30 minutes. Gauthier Hein gave Metz the lead, before Lopes was hurt. The game was abandoned after an hour-delay.
[#FCMOL] La magnifique inspiration du jeune Gauthier Hein qui permet à Metz de mener...avant l'interruption du match ! pic.twitter.com/8K6UH7japj
— Sur la Barre (@surlabarre) December 3, 2016
The abandoned game hurt Lyon's chances of moving to fourth place in Ligue 1. The seven-time French champions stay in fifth place, a point behind Guingamp, but have played a game less.
Lopes, who was part of Portugal's Euro 2016-winning squad, was hospitalised for sound trauma. Metz confirmed after the game, that the had identified the culprits.
Breaking | Metz vs Lyon sees play suspended after firecracker exploded next to goalkeeper Anthony Lopes. pic.twitter.com/491XBlttgQ
— Get French Football (@GFFN) December 3, 2016
