UK Trend : Protestor waving rainbow flag invades pitch during Portugal Vs Uruguay

29 November 2022

The Portugal Vs Uruguay World Cup 2022 match has been trending all over the world on social media platforms, as it was a well-played match with two amazing goals from midfielder Bruno Fernandes. Portugal has now qualified for the knockout stage of the last 16.
However, the real cause behind social media buzzing with the hashtag #PORURU was due to a fan/protester who ran onto the pitch with a rainbow flag, a t-shirt with the statement “Save Ukraine” on the front and “respect for Iranian women” on the back, which resulted in controversy between supporters and critics.

UK Trend: Rainbow flag in Portugal Vs Uruguay match!

Supporters of the protester praised him on Twitter, calling his efforts “amazing” and “heroic,” since he was taking a stand against a variety of recent concerns, including the war in Ukraine and the issues with women’s rights in Iran.

Outstanding ❤️ #FIFAWorldCup #PORURU #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/VghvBpllzY

— Eddie Burfi (@EddieBurfi) November 28, 2022

https://twitter.com/VanNistelruuij/status/1597326301735837696?s=20&t=S0sad4fUh4pOW1sJw98_Eg

Holding the rainbow flag is against Qatari legislation

However, several other football fans who saw the man’s activities tweeted their “confusion” since entering the pitch during a world cup game with more than 80,000 spectators is already troublesome, and it is made worse by the fact that the man was holding the pride flag, which is against Qatari legislation. And it has been clearly prohibited by the FIFA association, for the 2022 world cup.

So not only did someone pitch invade but they pitch invaded with a pride flag #FIFAWorldCupQatar2022 #PORURU #WorldCup2022 pic.twitter.com/FtUMoX5kar

— Kyle⚪ (@kmo919) November 28, 2022

They noted that, despite the perception that his conduct was relatively “Brave,” it is likely that he will face serious repercussions and asked Twitter users to “pray for this man.”

Flying the flag for human rights in Qatar…. Pray for that man!! #PORURU pic.twitter.com/C6mLrOQ2GD

— Joshua Sykes (@joshuaksykes) November 28, 2022

Others were dissatisfied with the protestor’s activities and tweeted about how disrespectful it is to the host nation and the religion as he waved a flag that promotes behaviour that is against the law as well as the norms and values of the Muslim society in Qatar.

He's saying "hey everyone, I disrespect all religions and everybody here, and I want you all to do the same". What a shame!

— asma (@asmahkhalil) November 28, 2022

Totally disrespectful; three things show the hypocrisy in the picture, you are in Islamic country: DID YOU RAISE PALESTINE FLAG ? NO, DID YOU RESPECT A RELIGION & OTHERS BELIEVES ? NO, DO YOU REALLY CARE ABOUT IRANIAN WOMEN? NO

— FAHAD ALMUTAWA (@FAHADALMUTAWA92) November 28, 2022

The protester ran onto the field carrying a rainbow flag and interrupted Monday night’s match between Portugal and Uruguay. The incident happened just before Bruno Fernandes gave Portugal a 1-0 lead.

Before being tackled by security, he raced across the majority of the field from the near side-line.

For the first time during the World Cup in Qatar, the colours appeared on the majority of TV screens during Monday’s stunt. The protestor was briefly captured by certain broadcasts before being detained.

WORLD CUP 2022 — The FIFA World Cup 2022

His shirt’s front included a statement about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while the back of his shirt referred to the Iranian women’s rights movement. He raised the pride flag in opposition to Qatar’s rules on homosexuality.

Uncertainty surrounds the protester’s whereabouts as Thierry De Backer, FIFA’s media representative at the match, told The Associated Press he had “no idea” what had happened to the protester. Qatari local organizers declined to comment.