The fan who interrupted the match between Portugal and Uruguay, with a rainbow flag, in support of the LGBTQ+ community, and a shirt in support of Ukraine and the women of Iran, was expelled from the 2022 World Cup.
Mario Ferri entered the pitch in the 61st minute, carrying a rainbow flag – a symbol that has been banned in stadiums – while his shirt bore the words ‘Save Ukraine’. [salvem à Ucrânia] and ‘Respect for Iranian women’ [Respeito para as mulheres iranianas]🇧🇷
The 35-year-old Italian fan, who has a history of invading pitches and who also entered the Belgium-United States team at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with the message “Save the children of the favela”, was released, but banned. entering the stadiums of Qatar.
In a statement, the organizing committee for the 2022 World Cup also reported on Tuesday that Mario Ferri “was released shortly after being removed from the pitch,” which the embassy was informed of, but that he is banned from any World Cup match.
“As a result of his actions and usual practice, his entry has been canceled and he has been banned from future matches in this tournament,” the organization said in a statement.
Already today, in a message posted on his Instagram account, the Italian designated Monday’s invasion as the “last dance”, explaining that he wanted to touch on important issues that have also been on his agenda.
Ferri said that regarding Iran, where he says he has friends and women are not respected, the world has to change and that happens with strong gestures, while, regarding Ukraine, he revealed that he worked as a volunteer in kyiv. , where he saw the suffering of the local population, making a further appeal for peace.
As for the rainbow flag, the Italian recalled that FIFA had banned it, as well as the symbols in this World Cup, but that he, in the role of ‘Robin of the Woods’, wanted to convey the message that what is wanted it is a free world that respects all races and ideas.
Source: TSF
