A man carrying a rainbow flag and wearing a T-shirt with the words “Respect for Iranian Woman” on the back invaded the pitch at the FIFA World Cup on Monday.
The man was on the field for about 30 seconds during the second half of the game between Portugal and Uruguay before being tackled and escorted off by security.
He also had the words “Save Ukraine” on the front of his T-shirt.
Photo: AFP
“We know what has happened around this World Cup... It’s a normal thing to happen,” Portugal player Ruben Neves said.
“Of course, we are all with them as well. With Iran as well, with the Iranian women. So I hope it doesn’t happen, anything to the boy, because we understand his message, and I think all the world understands it as well,” he said.
The protestor was identified as Italian Mario Ferri by Italian press agency AGI. He has staged similar protests, including at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where he raised the issue of children living in poverty.
Gay rights and the use of the rainbow flag have been a simmering issue at the World Cup in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal.
Iran’s team has been in the spotlight, too. They did not sing the national anthem before their first game against England in an apparent gesture of solidarity with anti-government protesters at home.
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