A former English Premier League footballer has helped to put out a fire behind a goal in the middle of a match.

Ezequiel Schelotto, who spent time at Brighton and Hove Albion after stints at Italian clubs Inter Milan, Parma and Atalanta, was seen running on to the pitch carrying a hose after the blaze broke out.

The 36-year-old, who now captains FC Paradiso in the Swiss third tier, ran towards the fire, which appeared to have started beside a Paradiso fan banner, and extinguished it quickly after what appeared to be an official tried to stamp it out with their feet.

It is not clear how the fire started, but a video posted on Instagram showed players looking at it while thick black smoke billowed towards the carpark at Campo Pian Scairolo, Paradiso’s home stadium.

Despite the disruption, Paradiso went on to beat opponents FC Bavois but still sit second-bottom in the Swiss “Promotion League” table.

Schelotto, born in Argentina, spent much of his career south of the Swiss border in Italy, starting out with Cesena before moving to Atalanta and Inter Milan.

Footballer Ezequiel Schelotto was seen putting out a fire during a match. Photo / TGDOM Sport24

The defender later moved to Portuguese team Sporting Lisbon and then secured a move to the Premier League with Brighton in 2017.

He played more than 20 times for the Seagulls in the first year of his contract across all competitions, but was sent back to Italy on loan with Chievo Verona in his second season.

In the final year of his contract, Schelotto returned to Brighton and played nine games for the club under manager Graham Potter.

He recently said in an Italian interview he did not get on well with the English manager.

“In the Premier League, I had a falling-out with Potter,” Scheletto said.

“I played at home, never away. One formation at home, another away.

“So after a win against Arsenal, I asked him why, and he dropped me for a couple of weeks.”

Brighton fans would likely best remember him for his confrontation with Crystal Palace’s Wilfred Zaha, where he was booked for kicking a ball at the winger and later made a crying gesture towards his opponent.