Norwegian and Galatasaray footballer Omar Elabdellaoui was injured in the fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
What Happened?
The Norwegian vice-captain’s team said he was rushed to hospital after an “accident at his home”.
He suffered burns to his face and injuries to his eyes, the club said, adding that further tests would determine the extent of his injuries.
The New Year’s Eve event was one of the most dramatic in Europe. It was one of many involving fireworks in Europe.
In Elabdellaoui’s case, Turkish reports say a fireworks exploded in the hand of the 29-year-old defender.
Turkish newspaper Hurriyet said the former Manchester City player may have lost his temper, without giving further details.
But in a statement quoted by the newspaper, Galatasaray said Elabdellaoui was healthy, in good health and had not undergone surgery.
The Reactions And Well Wishes
Galatasaray manager Fatih Terim and team captain Arda Turan went to the hospital to visit Elabdellaoui, who joined the club in 2020 from Greek side Olympiacos FC.
Turkish clubs – including Galatasaray’s Turkish Super Lig rivals Fenerbahce, Besiktas and Trabzonspor – took to social media and wished Elabdellaoui a speedy recovery.
Elsewhere In Europe
Elsewhere in Europe, at least four people were killed by fireworks during a New Year’s celebration.
Alsace police in eastern France say a 25-year-old man has died after being hit by a rocket in Boofzheim district.
The statement said the device cut off his head and severely injured the face of a young man standing next to him.
A similar incident took the life of a 28-year-old man in Pulle, a town east of Antwerp in Belgium.
Meanwhile in the northern province of Asti in northwestern Italy, a 13-year-old boy died shortly after midnight with a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
There were also fire victims in Germany. In the state of Brandenburg, police say a 24-year-old man has died after burning “self-made proteics” while a 63-year-old man lost his hand while handling a firefighter.
Injuries and deaths from explosives are unknown in the new year. But fewer public fire demonstrations than usual were held on Eva 2020, as coronavirus restrictions set limits on gatherings and parties around the world.
Some European countries have moved to restrict the use of explosives before December 31, when Germany imposed a ban on the sale of pyrotechnics.
More About Omar Elabdellaoui
Omar Elabdellaoui is a Norwegian professional footballer who plays as a right back and as a right midfielder for Turkish club Galatasaray. He also captains the Norway national team.
Elabdellaoui began his career with Skeid before signing with Manchester City in 2008, although never appeared for the club; he made his professional debut while on loan at Strømsgodset. He has also spent a loan spell in the Netherlands with Feyenoord. After spending a half season on loan with Eintracht Braunschweig in 2013, Elabdellaoui joined the German side permanently in May 2013. He signed for Olympiacos in June 2014 and stayed at the club until moving to current club Galatasaray in August 2020.
Elabdellaoui represented Norway at youth international level, and was a part of the Norwegian team in the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship. He made his debut for the senior national team in August 2013.
