THIS is the horrifying moment that caused a footballer to lose a finger and parts of two others on his birthday.
Footage shows the unfortunate Belgian player, Fabio Schiafino as he picks up the roaring flare before it brutally explodes in his hand.
Jam Press VidThe flare is circled red[/caption]
Jam Press VidHe continues to run with the flare[/caption]
Jam Press VidThe moment the flare exploded in his hand[/caption]
Fabio was forced to undergo three separate crucial operations in just two days.
He lost his entire index finger, half of his thumb and middle finger in the tragic event on October 19th.
The traumatising ordeal has left Fabio in a terrible condition, following the incredibly painful moment.
Fabio told local media: “My hand was completely destroyed.
“It’s not going well.
“I haven’t slept or eaten for almost two days, they’ve taken me from one operating room to another.
“I think I’ve had three or four operations already.
“I’m receiving medication and anaesthesia 24 hours a day, 7 days a week intravenously.
“I first thought it was a smoke bomb and I immediately saw the danger, both for my teammates and the fans.
“There were children around, I didn’t want anyone to get burned.
“In a split second, I decided to remove the projectile.
“When the smoke cleared, I saw a lot of blood on my right hand, some fingers were missing.”
“I didn’t immediately realise what had happened, my brother walked towards me and it was only when I saw him staring at my hand in shock that I looked at it.”
In an even more twisted fashion, the incident occurred on the star’s 26th birthday.
The flare that was thrown, a Cobra 6 firecracker, has the power of a hand grenade.
The vicious weapon is banned in Belgium.
Fabio is still receiving medical treatment in a hospital in Bruges, Belgium, as reported by NeedToKnow.
The dangerous suspected thrower, who was identified as a supporter of Fabio’s team KSCT Menen, was arrested and faces charges of assault and battery.
The fan also faces a potential stadium ban of up to 10 years.
He has been released on conditions.
KSCT Menen have announced they will be taking legal action in a damning statement.
They said: “We deeply regret this incident and distance ourselves from the person in question.
“He is not known to our club, but has been identified. KSCT Menen will take civil action in this case through the police.”
Before the painful incident, KSCT Menen had just thrashed SK Zillebeke 4-0 in the Belgian Fourth Division C league tie.
Fabio also commented on the alleged thrower: “I know the guy a little, he contacted me to ask if he could call me.
“When I spoke to him on the phone, I told him that I do not blame him.”
The police investigation continues.