Universidad de Chile goalkeeper Martin Parra suffered an ear injury and is now recovering in hospital, after he was hit by fireworks during a Chilean Football Cup match against local rival Universidad Católica on Wednesday.
The cameras recorded the moment when 3 fireworks exploded near Bara, 22, who fell to the ground with his hands over his ears, before being carried out on a stretcher and taken to a hospital in Santiago.
Moment in which Martin Parra receives the thunder bomb thrown from the fans of #Crusaders#VamosLaU#ClasicoUniversitariopic.twitter.com/IUfkhc4LdA
— Chilean Premier League (@AbranCancha8) September 28, 2022
The incident occurred after Cattolica scored in the second leg of the quarter-finals, making the match 1-1, and the referee stopped the match after only 4 minutes of its start.
Universidad de Chile coach Sebastian Miranda said that goalkeeper Barra “is stable, in good condition and under observation. He is very shocked, but the important thing is that his health is good and examinations will continue.”
But hey, how do you launch fireworks towards the field where there are people?
Remember that Denisse Cortés (Popular Ombudsman) died in a march precisely because an asshole launched fireworks without any criteria
I hope goalkeeper Martín Parra is well. pic.twitter.com/Snw3lYKvsY
— Illustrated Tramp (@vagoilustrado) September 28, 2022
Universidad de Chile demanded that the local federation impose the “heaviest penalty” on Cattolica; The match was supposed to be played without an audience due to frequent misconduct incidents.
For its part, Cattolica Club condemned the incident.
The club said – in a statement – “We would like to express our solidarity with Martin Parra and his family. We wish him a speedy recovery and his return to the field.”
Police said they arrested two people from the crowd after the incident.
The moment in which Martín Parra is transferred to Santiago, severely affected by the throwing of a thunderclap onto the field by the Catholic University supporters. #HoldU #NeverWereOnly11 #VamoslaU #Total madness #Futsal ???????????? pic.twitter.com/j68OFdUMU9
– The Blue Voice (@LaVozAzul2022) September 29, 2022