Galatasaray soccer player hospitalized for fireworks accident on NYE

Soccer player for top Turkish team Galatasaray, Omar Elabdellaoui was injured when a firework erupted in his hand during a New Year's Eve celebration on Dec. 31. Elabdellaoui was hurt in his face and hands, but his condition was reported to not be fatal.

Friday January 01 2021 11:13 am

Duvar English - Anadolu Agency

Norwegian football player Omar Elabdellaoui for one of Turkey's top teams Galatasaray was injured in the face and eyes when a firework erupted in the 29-year-old's hand during a New Year's Eve celebration on Dec. 31

The Istanbul club said that Elabdellaoui was rushed to the hospital for several burns in his face and that the extent of the damage in his eyes will be determined after further tests.

The player was reported to be conscious and did not have a risk of death.

Galatasaray executive Abdurrahim Albayrak, manager Fatih Terim and the team captain Arda Turan went to the hospital to visit Elabdellaoui on Dec. 31.

Galatasaray's rivals in the Turkish Super Lig Fenerbahçe, Beşiktaş and Trabzonspor on Twitter wished the player a speedy recovery.

Playing in the right flank, Elabdellaoui joined Galatasaray in 2020 from the Greek club Olympiacos.

He had 13 appearances for the Lions this season, and also plays for his home country of Norway.