Football match abandoned after firework explodes at player's feet

A footballer has spoken out after his team shared shocking footage from an abandoned game where he was hit by a FIREWORK on the pitch.

Hashtag United Football Club were winning 2-0 against Concord Rangers FC in a home match on Bonfire Night [5] when a rogue firework burst onto the pitch mid game.

In shocking video footage filmed by a member of the semi-professional football club, Hashtag United player Matas Skrna is seen jogging towards his own goal when a firework appears to hit his right leg.

The player leapt off the ground as sparks flew around his feet before throwing himself to the grassy pitch, clutching his leg as his concerned teammates ran towards him.

The game was immediately halted, just prior to the 60th minute, and had to be abandoned after those setting off fireworks nearby refused to stop.

16-year-old Skrna has since spoken out about the incident, telling the BBC that: "It just felt like my leg had literally exploded.

"The pain for ten seconds was bad. At first I did not know what had happened."

The teenager explained the firework thankfully only burnt his sock but has left him scared of fireworks as a result.

"The goalkeeper came to check my chest, how my heart was beating and apparently it was right out of my chest and he told me to calm down," he said.

"I thought it would be worse. They said it's going to itch, it might hurt, but there's nothing really bad from it.

"Every time I hear a firework I'm getting scared and my heart rate is going up all the time."

Hashtag United, who Love Island 2021's runner up Toby Aromolaran plays for, tweeted following the incident, saying: 'We expect fireworks whenever @hashtagutd play but not like this!

'Our player, Matas Skrna, is luckily ok but this could have been bad!

'Game abandoned at 2-0 up as house where fireworks came from refused to stop. Two more landed near pitch. Police have been notified. Stay safe.'

Spencer Owen, who set up the social media team in 2016 alongside his brother, has since spoken out about the incident, tweeting to say: 'Let’s be honest, this probably wasn’t an accident. A few inches different and our lad could have been blinded.

'Not the only football game something like this happened at last night either.'