A person carrying a rainbow flag and carrying a T-shirt with the phrases “Respect for Iranian Girl” on the again invaded the pitch throughout a match on the Qatar World Cup on Monday. The person was on the sphere for about 30 seconds in the course of the second half of the sport between Portugal and Uruguay earlier than being tackled and escorted off by safety. He additionally had the phrases “Save Ukraine” on the entrance of his T-shirt, in reference to the war-torn nation.
An LGBTQ protestor ran onto the sphere with a rainbow flag on the Qatar World Cup. Might they relaxation in peace 🫡 pic.twitter.com/0HPctHEmx7
— Archduke Level Franz (@DerFranzWagner) November 28, 2022
“We all know what has occurred round this World Cup… It is a regular factor to occur,” mentioned Portugal participant Ruben Neves.
“After all, we’re all with them as nicely. With Iran as nicely, with the Iranian ladies. So I hope it would not occur, something to the boy, as a result of we perceive his message, and I feel all of the world understands it as nicely.”
The protestor was recognized as Italian Mario Ferri by Italian press company AGI.
He has staged related protests earlier than, together with on the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the place he raised the problem of youngsters residing in poverty.
Homosexual rights and using the rainbow flag have been a simmering challenge on the World Cup in Qatar, the place homosexuality is illegitimate.
Captains of seven European groups had deliberate to put on rainbow-themed anti-discrimination armbands in the course of the event as a part of a marketing campaign for range.
However they backed down over the specter of disciplinary motion from soccer’s governing physique FIFA, together with yellow playing cards.
Britain’s sports activities minister Stuart Andrew will put on the armband when he attends England’s conflict with Wales on Tuesday.
German Inside Minister Nancy Faeser wore the “OneLove” armband final week whereas sitting subsequent to FIFA president Gianni Infantino for Germany’s shock 2-1 defeat by Japan.
Followers complained earlier within the event that they’d been advised to take away gadgets of clothes with the rainbow on them.
– White Home response –
Monday’s on-pitch protest was addressed by White Home Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, talking on the eve of a politically charged match between the USA and Iran in Qatar.
“We’re involved over the potential remedy of LGBTQ+ spectators and athletes,” she mentioned.
“We urge the state of Qatar and all Qataris to totally realise the emir’s message and that’s to actually recognise, to welcome everybody to the Cup, the World Cup.”
FIFA mentioned it had no remark to make at this stage.
Iran’s crew has individually been within the highlight due to anti-government protests at house.
The Iranian crew didn’t sing the nationwide anthem earlier than their first recreation towards England in an obvious gesture of solidarity with the protesters.
Iran has been shaken by greater than two months of nationwide demonstrations because the dying of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in morality police custody on September 16.
Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian of Kurdish origin, died three days after her arrest in Tehran over an alleged breach of the costume code for ladies, which incorporates the obligatory hijab headband.
The Norway-based Iran Human Rights group says greater than 410 folks have been killed in a authorities crackdown.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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