A footballer has been left in intensive care after losing a finger and having the half of two other blown off when a firecracker – with the force of a hand grenade – exploded in his hand as he tried to remove the object from the pitch, according to reports.
The incident occurred after a Belgian lower league contest between KSCT Menen and SK Zillebeke with the visitors running out 4-0 victors to spark wild celebrations in the away end.
Joyous scenes turned to horror however when an illegal Cobra 6 firecracker was launched onto the pitch as Menen players gathered in front of their supporters to applaud their fanbase.
Having scored twice in the resounding victory that also came on the day of his 26th birthday, Fabio Schifano picked up the device in a bid to discard it only for the pyrotechnic to explode in his hand.
The Menen striker received immediate medical attention as the gravity of the situation became obvious with blood spilling onto the pitch as he was rushed to hospital, as reported by HLN.
A player at Belgian side KSCT Menen lost their finger at the weekend after handling a firecracker
He underwent immediate medical procedures on his injury with staff unable to save one of his fingers that was blown off by the firecracker.
Schifano also lost half of two of his other fingers as a result of the horrific incident with an investigation now ongoing after the supporter who threw the firecracker was identified.
The striker currently remains in intensive care at hospital where his condition continues to be monitored.
The use of pyrotechnics at football games is strictly prohibited across Europe but a number of devices still find their way through security checks over the course of a season.
Media outlets in the Netherlands and Belgium have identified the fan as a 21-year-old supporter who threw the projectile onto the playing surface in an attempt to celebrate Menen’s victory.
A Cobra 6 firecracker (pictured above) was thrown onto the pitch by a supporter at the end of the game
The youngster now risks being prosecuted for unintentional assault and wounding as a result of his actions.
Cobra 6 firecracker manufacturers Di Blasio Elio promote the device as one of their best-sellers with it containing an incredible 28g of pyro component.
The Italian company also states that Cobra firecrackers in their F4 category is a professional product and should only be sold to people who have passed a competency exam.
Meanwhile, Menen have announced their intentions to file a civil claim in relation to the incident and are cooperating with police as the investigation continues.