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World Cup pitch invader says he will avoid legal action

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A pitch invader who disrupted a World Cup match between Portugal and Uruguay with a rainbow flag said he will not face legal action.During the Group H match yesterday, activist Mario Ferri ran onto the pitch at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar wearing a Superman T-shirt bearing the words "Save Ukraine" on the front and "Respect for Iranian woman" on the back.Security officials chased after Mr Ferri, who was also holding a rainbow-coloured flag, before he was escorted away.Mr Ferri is described in his Instagram bio as a footballer and influencer and updated his followers saying "I am free"."So many emotions right now.

No legal consequence I am free," Mr Ferri's Instagram story read.In a post, the activist wrote: "I will call it 'the last dance' my last run on a playing field.""I wanted to send important messages for me that I have lived on my skin in the past months."Mr Ferri went on to share messages regarding the plight of Iranian women, the controversial attitude at Qatar 2022 towards LGBTQ+ support, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine."Thanks for all the messages of love coming to me from the world, Iran and Ukraine," he wrote."Breaking the rules if you do it for a good cause is never a crime."Mr Ferri's Instagram Stories show him in Qatar ahead of Portugal's showdown with Uruguay - he shared footage from the stands during the game, zooming in on Cristiano Ronaldo with the caption "eccolo il mio dio" or "here is my god".The 35-year-old has a profile on transfermarkt.com - a website which logs the careers of footballers - it describes him as an Italian right midfielder who joined Italian side ASD Castel di Sangro in the summer.Mr Ferri has a history of pitch invasions, he entered the pitch during Belgium and USA's 2014

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