After all, fan who invaded Portugal-Uruguay was banned from World Cup games
Mario Ferri entered the pitch after 61 minutes, carrying a rainbow flag – a symbol that has been banned in stadiums -, while his shirt had the words “Save Ukraine” written on it. [salvem à Ucrânia] and “Respect for Iranian Women” [Respeito para as mulheres iranianas]🇧🇷
The fan who interrupted the game between Portugal and Uruguay, with a rainbow flag, in support of the LGBTQ+ community, and a shirt in support of Ukraine and women of Iran, was banned from Mundial’2022.
Although Mario Ferri assured, after being released by security, that he had been given permission to “see the games in Qatar”, the tournament’s organizing committee announced that it had banned him from entering the stadiums.
Ferri entered the pitch after 61 minutes, carrying a rainbow flag – a symbol that has been banned in stadiums -, while his shirt had the words “Save Ukraine” written on it. [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 at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil also entered Belgium-United States with the message “Save the children of the favela”, was released, but banned from entering the stadiums in Qatar.
In a statement, the organizing committee of the 2022 Mundial also reported today that Mario Ferri “was released shortly after being removed from the pitch”, that the embassy was celebrated, but that he is banned from any World Cup game.
“As a result of his actions and customary 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 published 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 the agenda for him.
Ferri said that with regard to Iran, where he says he has friends and women are not respected, the world has to change and that this happens with strong gestures, while, with regard to Ukraine, he revealed that he worked as a volunteer in Kiev, where he saw the suffering of the local people, making yet another appeal for peace.
As for the rainbow flag, the Italian recalled that FIFA banned it, as well as the symbols in this World Cup, but that he, in the role of “Robin of the Woods”, wanted to pass on the message that what is wanted is a free world that respects all races and ideas.