PARIS: L:yon’s French league match at Metz was abandoned after firecrackers were thrown at visiting goalkeeper Anthony Lopes.

A first device was thrown from the stands after Gauthier Hein had given Metz a 28th-minute lead.

Portugal international Lopes, 26, received treatment and was lying on the ground when another firecracker exploded next to him.  After a 45-minute break in play the game was abandoned with Metz leading 1-0.

Lyon said Lopes had been taken to hospital for examination and the club’s owner Jean-Michel Aulas described the incident as “very serious”.

Players from both sides called for calm from the crowd after the second firecracker had landed near Lopes.

The Ligue de Football Professionnel said its disciplinary committee was reviewing the incident.

Poland striker Robert Lewandowski was involved in a similar incident last month in a World Cup qualifier in Romania.  The Bayern Munich player seemed shaken but unhurt after a firecracker exploded near him in the 3-0 win for Poland.

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