A fan who ran onto the field in the 2022 World Cup match: “I was at war in Kyiv for a month”

The Italian Mario Ferri, who ran onto the field in the 2022 World Cup match Portugal - Uruguay (2: 0) and expressed support for Ukraine, commented on his act on Instagram:

"I returned. I will call it "The Last Dance" - my last run out onto the football field, I wanted to send messages that are important to me, with which I have lived in recent months.

1. Message for Iran, where my friends are suffering, where women are not respected. The world must change, we can do it together with strong gestures coming from the heart, with courage.

2. FIFA banned rainbow captaincy and human rights flags from stands, they blocked everyone but me. Like Robin Hood 2.0, I carried a message to the people. We want a free world that respects all races and all ideas.

3. Save Ukraine. I was a volunteer at the war in Kyiv for a month and saw how these people suffer. We want peace in Ukraine. Glory to Ukraine.

Thank you for all the messages of love that come to me from all over the world, Iran and Ukraine. Breaking the rules, if you're doing it for a good cause, is never a crime," wrote Ferry.