Fireworks explode over Arsenal keeper David Raya’s head during Sporting clash in shocking safety breach
During Arsenal’s Champions League match against Sporting, there were startling pictures of fireworks going off directly over David Raya.
Goals from Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli gave the Gunners a 2-0 lead early on.
Neither Viktor Gyokeres nor any of the Sporting players had threatened David Raya.
However, a variety of fireworks, flares, and smoke bombs were detonated over the Arsenal area at 25 minutes.
Although the TNT Sport cameras did not capture the pyrotechnics, announcer Darren Fletcher made note to them.
He was also taken aback that the referee did not halt play and remove the two teams from the field.
Videos of the fireworks went viral on social media.
The videos showed the explosives blazing into flashes of light as they were discharged from the stand behind Raya.
The size of the green and white smoke drifting across the field was shown by another.
The Lisbon pitch was blanketed by clouds in a matter of minutes.
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“Fireworks and flares set off aimed at Raya and the back four,” one supporter stated. There must be a ban for that.
Inside the stadium, however, ecstatic Arsenal supporters screamed, “We want more fireworks,” as they witnessed their team’s incredible performance.
Although Uefa has been contacted by SunSport for comment, the Portuguese team may face serious consequences from the authorities due to the safety violation.
Martinelli had only seven minutes left when he turned home.
And in minute 22, Havertz extended the visitors’ lead by tapping in following excellent play by Bukayo Saka and Thomas Partey.
Then, with the last header of the first half, Gabriel made it 3-0 by hammering in another header from a risky Declan Rice corner.
But Sporting quickly responded to the interval with a goal from Goncalo Inacio.
But on 65 minutes, Saka gave Arsenal a three-goal advantage again from the penalty spot, and Leandro Trossard, a substitute, finished the 5-1 thumping with a simple header off a rebound.