A Serbian handball player was hit in the eye by a dart thrown from the crowd during Friday's European Championship semifinal against bitter rivals Croatia.
Officials fear Zarko Sesum, whose team went on to win the clash at home, may now lose his sight in one eye — and it could all be the fault of one of his own fans, according to Croatian bosses, who believe the missile was intended for their own star player, Ivano Balic.
"Someone threw a dart from the stands aimed at Ivano Balic and it hit Zarko Sesum. He's in hospital. We fear he'll lose his eye," Croatian team official Zlatko Skrinjar told AFP.
"The atmosphere and the chants were detestable. They were talking about murders and so on. It's sad but expected," he added.
Serbia qualified for the final of the competition for the first time in the nation's history following their 26-22 victory in Belgrade.
Serbian police had stepped up security ahead of the clash following an attack by local hooligans on Croatian fans.
The two countries have a long and violent historical rivalry, and fought a brutal war in 1990s as the former Yugoslavia fractured.
