African footballer sets himself on fire

An African footballer set himself on fire in a shocking protest against police.

Tunisian forward Nizar Issaoui left many in shock after he was seen setting himself alight in response to being charged with terrorism by local police in Haffouz, Kairouane. 

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With the incident believed to have taken just outside a police station in the area place on the weekend, it reportedly started after the 35-year-old got into an argument with a fruit seller, complaining that the vendor's bananas were overpriced, according to journalist Souhail Khmira.

Having then reported the vendor to the police, he was met with terorrism charges instead.

In a video understood to have been taken by Issaoui himself and now circulating on social media, bystanders can be heard screaming as the striker staged a dramatic protest, ranting about the charges laid against him for about 45 seconds before putting a lighter to his jersey, which was presumed to have been doused in a flammable liquid.

It is reported that the marksman, who has been without a club since January, suffered severe burns but remains in a stable condition.

WARNING: The clip below contains sensitive content.

In a Facebook post, Issaoui claimed he told police about a vendor selling overpriced fruit, but was then accused of a terror crime by the authorities, which sent him into his awful rage. 

Besides a brief spell with Saudi Arabian second-tier side Al-Orobah FC, the striker has spent most of his professional career in his home nation.

He has represented several Tunisian top-flight clubs but never made a single appearance for the Tunisian national team. 

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