World Cup pitch invader carrying Pride flag storms onto field during Portugal vs. Uruguay match

A protestor carrying a Pride flag has run onto the pitch at the Portugal v Uruguay match at the Qatar World Cup tonight in defiance of the country’s anti-LGBT laws.

The man wore a blue superman t-shirt with the words ‘Save Ukraine’ written on the front as he stormed onto the pitch in the second half of the group stage match. 

The t-shirt also had ‘respect for Iranian woman [sic]’ written on the back in reference to the anti-regime protests in Iran in recent months.

He was chased by security across the field as he held the Pride flag above his head, before he was eventually grabbed and led away.

The protestor had ‘respect for Iranian woman’ written on the back of his t-shirt 

He was bundled away by security moments after storming onto the pitch during the match between Portugal and Uruguay 

The match referee picked up the Pride flag after it was dropped on the turf as the man was bundled off to allow the game to continue after a few minutes of interruption. 

Some fans cheered support for the protestor as he ran across the field before being dragged off,

Being gay is illegal in Qatar with a jail sentence of up to seven years, leading to huge controversy around the tournament.

Many players and pundits, including the Wales and Germany teams, have been embroiled in an argument with FIFA over their right to wear One Love armbands during their matches.

FIFA bosses threatened ‘unlimited’ disciplinary action and yellow cards if players wore the armband in support of highly controversial hosts Qatar.

Fans have also been stopped from wearing rainbow bucket hats and carrying rainbow flags in stadiums. 

More to follow. 

The man dropped the Pride flag on the middle of the pitch as he was chased by security, forcing play to stop 

Match referee Alireza Faghani, an Iranian, picks up the rainbow flag as the man is led away. Play was restarted shortly after