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Football

29th Nov 2022

Bruno Fernandes and Ruben Neves speak about World Cup pitch invader

Lee Costello

“We understand his message.”

A pitch invader ran onto the field during Portugal’s World Cup game against Uruguay, in a protest which saw the game halted for several minutes.

The protester ran on to the pitch with a rainbow flag in his hand, and was also wearing a t-shirt that read ‘Save Ukraine’ on the front and ‘Respect for Iranian Women’ on the back.

The rainbow flag was clearly in protest of the human right laws in Qatar, the host nation of the World Cup, an ongoing discussion throughout this tournament.

World Cup pitch invader

Although he was quickly escorted off the pitch and the match played on, it became a big talking point after the game, and Ruben Neves was asked to share his thoughts on it.

“It’s a normal thing to happen. I hope nothing happens to the boy because we understand his message. We are with them.”

Bruno Fernandes, who was the star of the show last night, scoring both goals in the game, was also asked about the matter.

World Cup pitch invader

“We respect all human rights but those are political issues where we don’t really have much strength.”

With all of the controversy surrounding the location of this World Cup and there was bound to be incidents involving protests.

Even the players were set to wear the OneLove armband to show their support to the LGBTQ+ community, but FIFA prevented them from doing it at the last second, threatening to fine and book the players who wore them.

https://twitter.com/footballdaily/status/1597518752303796225

Germany posed for their team photograph inter opening game with their hands over their mouths to highlight how they feel they were being silenced by FIFA.

It has now be confirmed that the protester has been released from custody with no consequences.

Belgium squad had “really awkward barbecue” after dressing room bust up.

The Belgium squad had a “really awkward barbecue” after a dressing room bust up between three players following the country’s loss to Morocco.

Kevin de Bruyne, Jan Vertonghen and Eden Hazard were all involved in the scuffle which had to be broken up by Romelu Lukaku.

World Cup pitch invader

The wife of Belgian forward Dries Mertens was speaking on the MIDMID MONDIAL podcast, and admitted that it was very “awkward.”

”That was really awkward. The players were logically still very disappointed. But I thought it was strange to read that there are tensions within the group.

“The next morning everyone said hello to each other with a kiss. They do all that. So I think they are all super sweet to each other.”

Related links:

The FootballJOE quiz: Were you paying attention? – episode 10