CNN
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The World Cup match between Portugal and Uruguay was briefly interrupted by an intruder waving a rainbow flag at the iconic Lusail stadium on Monday.
FIFA’s global telecast avoided showing the pitch intruder, but the man could be seen running around the pitch trailing the flag as security officials pursued him.
Portugal won 2-0 thanks to two second-half goals from Bruno Fernandes, securing the European side’s place in the knockout stages.
The incident involving the pitch invader occurred in the 51st minute of the game. Iranian referee Alireza Faghani was later seen picking up the flag from the lawn.
Getty’s photos showed the flag carrier wearing a shirt with “Respect Iranian Women” written on the back and “Save Ukraine” on the front.
In a statement sent to CNN by the Supreme Delivery and Legacy Committee — which has overseen infrastructure projects and World Cup planning since its creation in 2011 — it said the stadium intruder had been banned from participating in the match.
“Following the pitch invasion incident during Portugal’s match against Uruguay last night, we can confirm that the person involved was released shortly after being taken off the pitch. His embassy has been informed,” it said.
“As a result of his behaviour, as per standard practice, his Hayya card has been cancelled, and he has been banned from further competitions in this tournament.”
The Hayya card is equivalent to a Qatar visa and all World Cup ticket holders must apply for one as it is used to identify fans.
CNN has contacted FIFA and Qatar tournament organizers for more information on the incident.
Iran, which faces the U.S. men’s national team in Tuesday’s Group B match, takes part in the World Cup against a backdrop of domestic turmoil in the country.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24th. Russian forces have repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure in recent weeks, following a wave of attacks a week ago that left more than seven million people without power, according to Ukrainian officials.
Yet Ukrainians remain steadfast in the face of Russian missile attacks, even as top U.S. generals are pushing for diplomacy, with little hope of a negotiated end to the war.
At the same time, the issue of LGBTQ+ rights in Qatar has always been a constant theme of the World Cup. The rainbow is a symbol of LGBTQ+ pride.
Two German football fans told CNN on Saturday that security officials asked them to remove the rainbow-colored items they were wearing on their way to a World Cup match between France and Denmark.
Last week, American journalist Grant Wahl and former Wales captain Laura McAllister both said they were asked by security to remove clothing with rainbow-coloured patterns.
Val said he was released after 25 minutes in custody and received an apology from FIFA representatives and senior members of the stadium’s security team.
Asked to clarify the dress code for fans, FIFA referred CNN to the match manual, which states that “expats and tourists are free to choose the attire of their choice as long as it is modest and culturally respectful.”
After some Welsh fans were also denied entry to stadiums for wearing rainbow bucket hats, the Welsh FA said FIFA informed the association on Thursday that rainbow flags and hats would be allowed into Qatar’s World Cup stadium.
Qatar’s LGBTQ+ laws – where sex between men is illegal in the country and punishable by up to three years in prison – have come under criticism.
A Human Rights Watch report released last month documented recent cases in September of Qatari security forces arbitrarily arresting LGBT people and subjecting them to “mistreatment in detention”.
However, the country insisted that “all are welcome” at the competition, adding in a statement to CNN this month, “Our track record shows that we warmly welcome all, regardless of background. .”
Cristiano Ronaldo thought he scored Portugal’s first goal – but that’s not the case, according to FIFA officials.
Halfway through the second half, the 37-year-old stood up to tackle a Fernandes cross.
Ronaldo seemed convinced he had the slightest touch of the ball in many of Qatar 2022’s games to score his second goal – and he certainly celebrated as he did.
However, Ronaldo was disappointed after officials changed their minds and awarded the goal to Fernandes.
Uruguay stepped up the pressure to level the score, not least after bringing in Luis Suarez and Maxi Gomez.
Minutes into the game, Gomez’s curveball hit the post and Suarez was soon only able to hit the side-netting from close range.
Portugal emerged victorious after the video assistant referee awarded a controversial penalty for a handball by Jose Maria Jimenez.
Fernandes had two more chances to complete a hat-trick but were blocked by Uruguayan goalkeeper Sergio Lochte before the post blocked the United midfielder.
The victory means Portugal have advanced to the next stage of the World Cup with one game remaining, with Uruguay needing a victory in their final game against Ghana to have any hope of advancing.
Friday’s clash between the South American and African sides will be their first at the World Cup since a contentious quarter-final in 2010, when Uruguay beat Ghana in a dramatic penalty shootout to enter. semi-final.
Ghana missed a penalty in the last minute of extra time, costing them the honor of being the first African team to reach the semi-finals.
Ghana’s Dominic Adiyah was blocked by Suarez at the penalty line, and his follow-up shot was blocked by the Uruguayan striker’s hand, awarding a penalty.
It meant a red card for Suarez, but Asamo Agyan’s penalty hit the crossbar to ensure the game went to a penalty shootout.