England and Wales fans facing strict security checks ahead of crucial World Cup clash after supporter invaded pitch with rainbow flag
- Fans were having their flags checked before entering Ahmed bin Ali Stadium
- Pictures of flags were taken and sent to a manager before a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ was given
- The checks were causing minor delays to some supporters entering the stadium
- Comes after Mario Ferri stormed onto pitch during Portugal v Uruguay match
England and Wales football fans are facing strict security checks ahead of the crucial World Cup clash after a supporter invaded the pitch with a rainbow flag during a game last night.
Fans were having their flags checked before entering Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, with security taking photos and waiting for approval.
Pictures were taken of each flag and sent to a security manager on WhatsApp before a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ was given.
The checks were causing minor delays to some supporters entering the stadium before kick-off.
A USA fan wearing a Rainbow Armband raises his arm alongside local security ahead of the match against Iran
Former Wales captain Laura McAllister was among female football fans who were ‘told to take off their rainbow bucket hats’ at the Qatari stadium ahead of the Dragons’ first match
It comes after footballer-turned-globetrotting campaigner Mario Ferri 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 between Portugal and Uruguay last night.
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.
Ferri, known as ‘The Falcon’ is an Italian footballer with second-division Indian side United Sports Club who has been working in Ukraine to drive refugees to safety in Poland.
He has invaded pitches several times before wearing his signature superman shirt in Italy and South America to raise awareness for issues including to ‘save favela children’.
The campaigner was even placed under house arrest in Italy for a string of pitch invasions and has form in World Cup pitch invasions, storming onto the pitch at the 2014 tournament in Brazil with his ‘favelas’ t-shirt.
Elsewhere, a USA fan raising his arm while wearing a Rainbow armband was escorted from the Al Thumama Stadium ahead of their match against Iran.
Back home in, meanwhile, England and Wales fans left work early to pack pubs on both sides of the border ahead of tonight’s ‘Battle of Britain’ in the World Cup.
Campaigner Mario Ferri, stormed onto the pitch in the second half of the game waving the Pride flag
The footballer has posted photos of himself preparing for the Ukraine frontline where he has been driving refugees to Poland
The protestor stands on a tank in Ukraine where he has been working in humanitarian aid this year
Jubilant workers bragged of swift exits from the office, with many heading straight to the pub on a day when some £215million is expected to be spent on booze.
Generous bosses allowed staff to be flexible in the hours running up to the much-anticipated clash in Qatar, with some even offering to provide a £25 bar tab for drinks and food, and paracetamol for the inevitable sore heads tomorrow morning.
Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions have won the last six matches against their rivals, but Rob Page’s men, led by talisman Gareth Bale, need their first win over England since 1984 and other results to go their way as their last 16 hopes hang by a thread.