Protester with rainbow flag interrupts Portugal-Uruguay World Cup match

A gaggle-stage match between Portugal and Uruguay was briefly interrupted Monday by a demonstrator with a rainbow flag on the World Cup, presumably a reference to host nation Qatar’s poor file on LGBTQ rights.

In keeping with a CNN report, through the second half of the Group H contest, the protester was seen operating onto the pitch waving a rainbow flag and carrying a blue t-shirt that had a Superman emblem on the entrance, carrying the messages “respect for Iranian girls” and “save Ukraine.”

The printed’s feed for the competition averted exhibiting the protester, although safety officers had been seen pursuing the person and a FIFA referee was seen selecting up the rainbow flag off the turf. 

Talking after the sport, Portuguese nationwide group midfielder Ruben Neves mentioned that protester interruptions have been a typical incidence in soccer matches, including that he hopes the protester doesn’t get into an excessive amount of bother, ESPN reported.

Portugal defeated Uruguay 2 to 0 on Monday to advance to the event’s knockout stage. 

“We all know what has occurred round this World Cup. It’s a standard factor to occur. In fact, we’re all with them as effectively. Iran as effectively, as a result of I noticed his shirt,” Neves mentioned. “I hope nothing occurs to the boy as a result of we perceive his message and I feel all of the world understood it as effectively.” 

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar has been marred with controversies because the world sporting event kicked off final week. 

FIFA, the worldwide governing physique of soccer, threatened to impose sanctions on Germany and 6 different European nations if their gamers wore rainbow-printed armbands in assist of LGBTQ rights, aligning with federation guidelines that state collaborating gamers are required to put on solely what is permitted to them as a part of their groups’ uniform units. Gamers who break these guidelines will obtain yellow playing cards from officers throughout in-game contests. 

Qatar has confronted common human rights criticisms and condemnation for outlawing homosexuality amongst its residents.

The Hill has reached out to FIFA for remark.