Firecracker hits goalkeeper, halts Inter–Cremonese clash
Cremonese goalkeeper Emil Audero was injured after a firecracker exploded near him during a Serie A match against Inter Milan on February 1 in Cremona, forcing a brief stoppage early in the second half. The blast left the 29-year-old stunned and with a cut on his leg before medical staff rushed onto the pitch to treat him.
The incident occurred in the 49th minute when a firework thrown from the away supporters’ section detonated close to Audero, filling the area with smoke and knocking the keeper to the ground. The match was paused for several minutes while players and staff checked on him.
“It was like getting a hammer in the ear. I could hardly hear and felt a strong burning,” Audero later said. Despite the scare, he returned to the game and finished the match.
Inter captain Lautaro Martinez and coach Cristian Chivu appealed to supporters to calm down, while the club later condemned the incident. “This senseless act has nothing to do with the values of sport,” said Inter president Beppe Marotta.
Inter went on to secure a 2–0 victory after the match resumed