
LUSAIL (Qatar) — A protester ran onto Monday wearing a rainbow flag, a Superman T-shirt with the words “SAVE UKRAINE”, and “RESPECT for IRANIAN WOMAN” at the back. This was during a World Cup match of Portugal and Uruguay.
The protester was chased down by security officials, and the flag was then dropped onto the field. The flag was then taken by the referee and placed on the sideline. It remained there for a few minutes before being picked up by a worker.
The protester was led through a tunnel and taken away. It was not immediately clear whether the protester faced any charges or had been taken into custody by police.
Thierry De Backer was FIFA’s media officer during the game. He told The Associated Press that he didn’t know what had happened to the protester. Local Qatari organizers declined to comment.
Seven European teams were disqualified from wearing multicolored “One Love”, armbands during World Cup matches in Qatar. Fans complained that they were not allowed to bring items in rainbow colors into the stadiums at the conservative Islamic Emirate. This is a symbol of LGBTQ rights.
In the lead-up to the first Middle East World Cup, Qatar’s laws on gay sex and the treatment of LGBTQ people were a flashpoint. Qatar said that everyone is welcome, even LGBTQ fans, but that they must respect its culture.
It occurred in the second half at Lusail Stadium.
Bruno Fernandes (Portugal midfielder), who scored both goals in the 2-0 win for his team, stated that he was so focused on his game that he didn’t notice the protester’s intentions and that he believed the protester wanted to take pictures with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Fernandes, speaking through a translator, said that “To be truthful I didn’t really understand what was being conveyed.” “But that’s something we’ve already discussed many times. … While we respect all human rights, those are political issues that we don’t have the strength to change.
Fernandes stated that soccer should be for everyone before the World Cup began, adding that he was not happy about workers who died building stadiums here in Qatar.