At the Lusail Iconic Stadium on Monday, a pitch invader waving a rainbow flag on the field momentarily stopped the World Cup game between Portugal and Uruguay.
The pitch invader was not shown on the FIFA global broadcast stream, but security personnel could be seen chasing after the person as they ran on the field while trailing the flag.
Bruno Fernandes scored twice in the second half to help Portugal win the game 2-0 and advance the European team to the knockout rounds.
In the 51st minute of play, the pitch intruder event took place. Later, Alireza Faghani, an Iranian referee, was observed removing the flag from the ground.
The flag carrier was seen by Getty Images with a blouse that said “SAVE UKRAINE” on the front and “RESPECT FOR IRANIAN WOMAN” on the back.
In an effort to learn more about the event, CNN has contacted FIFA and the Qatar tournament’s organisers.
Iran’s World Cup participation has taken place against the backdrop of internal unrest in the nation, which it will face on Tuesday in a Group B encounter against the US Men’s National Team.
Ukraine was invaded by Russia on February 24. According to Ukrainian officials, after a recent series of attacks by Russian forces on Ukraine’s power infrastructure, more than seven million people were left without electricity.
Despite efforts to end the conflict via negotiation made by America’s top general, the Ukrainian people have remained firm in the face of Russian missile assaults.
At the World Cup, the subject of LGBTQ+ rights in Qatar has also often come up. LGBTQ+ pride is symbolised by the rainbow.
Two German soccer fans told CNN on Saturday that when travelling to see the France vs. Denmark World Cup game, security personnel requested them to take off the rainbow-colored clothing they were wearing.
Both former Wales captain Laura McAllister and American writer Grant Wahl said last week that security personnel had instructed them to take off any apparel with rainbow-colored designs.
A FIFA spokesman and a senior member of the stadium security staff apologised to Wahl, who said he was freed 25 minutes after being arrested.
FIFA pointed CNN to the tournament guidebook when the organisation was questioned about the appropriate attire for spectators. The handbook reads that “expats and visitors are allowed to wear the apparel of their choosing, as long as it is modest and respectful to the culture.”
According to the Welsh Football Association, FIFA informed the federation on Thursday that rainbow-colored flags and caps will be permitted at World Cup stadiums in Qatar after several Wales fans were also sent away for donning rainbow-colored bucket hats.
The LGBTQ+ regulations of Qatar, which make it unlawful and punishable by up to three years in prison, have drawn condemnation.
Human Rights Watch reported instances of Qatari security personnel arbitrarily detaining LGBT persons and subjecting them to “ill-treatment in detention” as recently as September in a report that was published last month.
In a statement to CNN this month, the nation added that “our track record has shown that we have warmly welcomed all people regardless of background,” despite insisting that “everyone is welcome” at the competition.
Christiana Ronaldo believed he had scored Portugal’s opening goal, but FIFA authorities disagree.
The 37-year-old sprang up in the middle of the second half to head a cross from Fernandes.
Ronaldo undoubtedly celebrated like if he had just managed to get the tiniest of touches to score his second goal in as many games at Qatar 2022.
Ronaldo was upset, though, when referees changed their minds and gave Fernandes the goal.
Sergio Rochet of Uruguay stopped Fernandes on both occasions, and then the post denied the Manchester United midfielder a chance to complete his hat-trick.
With the victory, Portugal has moved to the World Cup’s knockout round with one game remaining, while Uruguay must win their final match against Ghana to have any chance of moving on.
The South American squad and African team will square off on Friday for the first time since their contentious 2010 World Cup quarterfinal, which Uruguay won in a nail-biting penalty shootout to advance to the semi-finals.
Ghana was denied the honour of being the first African team to go to the semi-finals as a result of a missed penalty in the final minute of extra time.
Dominic Adiyiah of Ghana was given the penalty after Suarez stopped his initial shot on the goal line and then stopped his second attempt with his hand.
Suarez would have received a red card had Asamoah Gyan’s penalty not hit the crossbar, forcing a shootout.
