Pitch invader with rainbow flag halts Portugal vs Uruguay World Cup match wearing shirt that says ‘Save Ukraine’ and ‘Respect for Iranian Women’
A pitch invader with a rainbow flag interrupted Portugal’s World Cup match against Uruguay with LGBTQ+ rights high on the agenda in Qatar.
A supporter made their way onto the playing surface in the 51st minute of the Group H clash, with referee Alireza Faghani having to halt play.
Homosexuality is illegal in the Gulf State, and the rainbow flag is widely used as a symbol of support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Qatar officials have been cracking down on shows of support for equal rights, with Wales fans claiming their rainbow bucket hats were confiscated, and a Brazilian journalist even had a flag for the state of Pernambuco taken as it contains a rainbow.
FIFA and Qatar have also been embroiled in a scandal over World Cup captains being threatened with yellow cards for wearing a OneLove armband which is rainbow coloured.
Officials even went as far as ordering Belgium to remove the word 'love' from the branding of their away kit.
The pitch invader also had a shirt that contained the messages ‘Save Ukraine’ and ‘Respect for Iranian Women’.
Those statements come amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while protesters in Iran in favour of women’s rights have recently been killed.
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FIFA had previously told qualified nations they were free to express themselves but there have been numerous cases of police and security clamping down on rainbow symbols and other gestures.
Football’s governing body softened their stance ahead of Wales’ clash with Iran which the Welsh football association later confirmed.
"In response to the FAW, FIFA has confirmed that fans with Rainbow Wall bucket hats and rainbow flags will be allowed entry to the stadium for @Cymru's match against Iran on Friday," FAW said in a tweet.
"All World Cup venues have been contacted and instructed to follow the agreed rules and regulations."