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Agence France-Presse

A man carrying a rainbow flag and wearing a T-shirt with the words “Respect for Iranian Woman” on the back invaded the pitch during a match at the 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, in reference to the war-torn nation.
“We know what has happened around this World Cup … It’s a normal thing to happen,” said Portugal player Ruben Neves.
“Of course, we are all with them as well. With Iran as well, with the Iranian women. We understand his message and I think all the world understands it as well.”
The protester was identified as Italian Mario Ferri by Italian press agency AGI.

He has staged similar protests before, 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.
Captains of seven European teams had planned to wear rainbow-themed anti-discrimination armbands during the tournament as part of a campaign for diversity.
But they backed down over the threat of disciplinary action from football’s governing body Fifa, including yellow cards.
Britain’s sports minister Stuart Andrew will wear the armband when he attends England’s clash with Wales on Tuesday.
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser wore the “One Love” armband last week while sitting next to Fifa president Gianni Infantino for Germany’s shock 2-1 defeat by Japan.
Fans complained earlier in the tournament that they had been told to remove items of clothing with the rainbow on them.
Chinese TV cuts maskless World Cup scenes as Covid anger mounts
Monday’s on-pitch protest was addressed by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, speaking on the eve of a politically charged match between the USA and Iran in Qatar.
“We are concerned over the potential treatment of LGBTQ spectators and athletes,” she said.
“We urge the state of Qatar and all Qataris to fully realise the emir’s message and that is to truly recognise, to welcome everyone to the Cup, the World Cup.”
Fifa said it had no comment to make at this stage.
Iran’s team has separately been in the spotlight because of anti-government protests at home.
The Iranian team did not sing the national anthem before their first game against England in an apparent gesture of solidarity with the protesters.
Iran has been shaken by more than two months of nationwide demonstrations since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in 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 dress code for women, which includes the mandatory hijab headscarf.
The Norway-based Iran Human Rights group said more than 410 people have been killed in a government crackdown.


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Fifa World Cup 2022

Fifa World Cup: Man with rainbow flag invades pitch during Portugal and Uruguay match

A protester runs onto the pitch wearing a respect for Iranian woman shirt. Photo: Reuters

The protester, identified as Italian Mario Ferri, has staged similar protests before, including at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Photo: Reuters

Fifa World Cup: US Soccer briefly scrubs emblem from Iran flag at World Cup ‘to support women’

A US soccer federation screenshot displaying Iran’s national flag on social media without the emblem of the Islamic Republic. Photo: Instagram via AP

A woman wearing a mask with a message reading ‘stop killing us’ after the World Cup football match between Wales and Iran. Photo: Reuters

Iranian women marching with anti-regime placards in the city of Zahedan on November 25. Photo: UGC video screengrab

Fifa World Cup: Bruno Fernandes believed Ronaldo scored first goal against Uruguay

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his side’s opening goal with Bruno Fernandes. Photo: AP

Ronaldo reacts after Fifa denied him a ninth World Cup goal. Photo: dpa

Fifa World Cup: Croatia back on track in Qatar, eliminating Canada with 4-1 win

Andrej Kramaric of Croatia celebrates his goal against Canada at the Fifa World Cup in Doha, Qatar on Sunday. Photo: Xinhua

Croatia’s midfielder Lovro Majer scores his team’s fourth goal past Canada’s goalkeeper Milan Borjan during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group F match in Doha on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Lovro Majer, right, celebrates with Ante Budimir after scoring Croatia’s fourth goal during the World Cup group F match between Croatia and Canada in Doha, Qatar on Sunday. Photo: AP 

Fifa World Cup: Chinese fans cheer adopted teams, but Covid curbs mean noticeably fewer have made trip to Qatar

Chinese fans line up for a group photo in Doha. Photo: DPA

Japan supporters make their way to the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Doha ahead of their side’s Group E match against Costa Rica. Photo: EPA-EFE

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The T-shirt read ‘respect for Iranian woman’ on the back and ‘save Ukraine’ on the front underneath a Superman emblem
The protester, identified as Italian Mario Ferri, has staged similar protests before, including 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where he raised the issue of children in poverty



A man carrying a rainbow flag and wearing a T-shirt with the words ‘Respect for Iranian Woman’ invaded the pitch during a match at the World Cup on Monday.
