Elabdellaoui, player of Galatasaray, injured in the eyes by fireworks

If Mario Balotelli does not seem to have released his fireworks for the new year, Omar Elabdellaoui wanted to celebrate the new year with pyrotechnic devices. The party turned to tragedy on Thursday and the Norwegian side Galatasaray had to be rushed to hospital with injuries to his hand and eyes.

“Our player Omar Elabdellaoui was taken to Liv hospital after an unfortunate accident in the evening to receive a first intervention, said the Istanbul club in a statement. The damage to the eyes of our player, who has burns to the face, will be known on closer examination. Our player is fully conscious and his life is not in danger. “

Fears for the rest of his career?

Out of danger, Omar Elabdellaoui is not yet out of the woods. If the 29-year-old Norwegian international (49 caps) has regained his sight, his vision could be lastingly impaired in the future due to burns linked to the chemicals present in the fireworks. For the moment, the doctors refuse to comment on the long term and are working hard to treat his injuries.

“His current situation is better than yesterday. Medical treatment is underway. Is it necessary to intervene again? This may be necessary,” said the doctor in charge of the file cited by the newspaper Hurriyet. […] We will do whatever is necessary about it. He has regained his sight now but it would not be fair to say anything about the future. A simple spot on the face can change your vision a lot. We will apply the necessary treatment for thermal chemical burns. “