Man with rainbow flag invades pitch during World Cup game

A protester, holding a rainbow flag and wearing a T-shirt reading 'Respect for Iranian Women' on the back, ran onto the pitch during this evening's game between Portugal and Uruguay at the World Cup in Qatar.

The man was on the field for about 30 seconds during the second half of the game between Portugal and Uruguay before being escorted off by security. He also had the words "Save Ukraine" on the front of his T-shirt.

LGBT rights and the use of the rainbow flag have been a simmering issue at the World Cup in the Gulf state, where homosexuality is illegal.

Captains of seven European teams had planned to wear rainbow-themed anti-discrimination armbands during the tournament as part of a campaign for diversity.

But they backed down over the threat of disciplinary action, including yellow cards, from football's governing body FIFA.

Britain's Minister for Sport Stuart Andrew will wear the rainbow-coloured armband when he attends England's clash with Wales tomorrow.

Fans complained earlier in the tournament that they had been told to remove items of clothing with the rainbow on them.

Iran's team has separately been in the spotlight because of anti-government protests at home.

Iran's team did not sing the national anthem before their first game against England in an apparent gesture of solidarity with the protesters.

Iran has been shaken by more than two months of nationwide demonstrations since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini on 16 September.

Ms Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian of Kurdish origin, was arrested by the notorious morality police in Tehran on 13 September for "inappropriate attire". She died three days later.