What happened to Christopher Nkunku before he scored Chelsea penalty vs Panathinaikos

Chelsea striker Christopher Nkunku was targeted with laser pointers before scoring his penalty in the Conference League against Panathinaikos on Thursday night. The Blues had already secured themselves a commanding lead in Greece thanks to goals from Mykhailo Mudryk and Joao Felix (2) when Nkunku stepped up to convert.

However, before he could take the penalty, after 59 minutes, the French forward was targeted with laser pointers by home supporters in a bid to put him off his stride.

Of course, the tactic did not end up working but Panathinaikos could, potentially, land themselves in hot water for this action by their supporters. In 2021, UEFA took action against the FA after some England supporters shone lasers at Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel in the semi-finals at Euro 2020.

England's football governing body was handed a £25,630 fine by UEFA for this coupled with supporters booing the national anthem of Denmark and 'setting off fireworks' during the semi-final meeting. Laser pens are not common in English domestic football.

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According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, laser pointers pose a serious risk to human health with even a brief glimpse enough to damage the retina in the eye. There's believed to be evidence of children and adults suffering long-term or permanent visual loss.

Such injuries cannot be treated by surgery or medical intervention. Chelsea went on to routinely win the game 4-1 with ex-Manchester United winger Facundo Pellistri scoring a consolation for Panathinaikos.