Protester with rainbow flag runs onto field at World Cup
A protester has run onto the field carrying a rainbow flag and wearing a blue Superman T-shirt that said “SAVE UKRAINE” on the front and “RESPECT FOR IRANIAN WOMAN” on the back during a World Cup match between Portugal and Uruguay.
Security officials chased the protester down and the flag was dropped on the field before the person was escorted off the field.
The referee then picked up the flag and left it on the sideline, where it stayed for a few moments before a worker came and collected it.
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A pitch invader holding a rainbow flag and political messages about Ukraine invades the field during Portugal's match with Uruguay. Tom Weller via Getty Images
The spectator was ushered away through a tunnel.
It wasn’t immediately clear if the protester faced any charges or had been detained by police.
In the first week of the tournament in Qatar, seven European teams lost the battle to wear multi-coloured “One Love” armbands during World Cup matches.
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Play is stopped in the Uruguay-Portugal match as a pitch invader holding a rainbow flag invades the field. Tom Weller via Getty Images
Security gives chase. Tom Weller via Getty Images
Fans also complained they weren’t allowed to bring items with rainbow colours, a symbol of LGBTQI+ rights, into the stadiums of the conservative Islamic emirate.
Qatar’s laws against gay sex and treatment of LGBTQI+ people were flashpoints in the run-up to the first World Cup to be held in the Middle East.
The man was tackled by security and escorted from the pitch. Tom Weller via Getty Images
Security tackles a pitch invader during the Portugal-Uruguay match. Tom Weller via Getty Images
The referee picks up the abandoned rainbow flag. Tom Weller via Getty Images
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Qatar has said everyone was welcome, including LGBTQI+ fans, but that visitors should respect the nation’s culture.
The incident occurred during the second half of the game at Lusail Stadium.
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