Video footage has emerged online, showing a football fan wearing a Matilda’s scarf being removed from Brisbane Stadium by police. The fan had displayed Iran’s national flag during the Aussies’ remarkable quarterfinal victory over France.
The Australian women’s team etched their name in history by advancing to the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup for the very first time. Their triumph came through a dramatic shootout, with Australia overcoming France 7-6 on penalties in what is now the longest shootout in the tournament’s history.
Nearly 50,000 spectators filled the stands in Brisbane, celebrating wildly as the Aussies eliminated the fifth-ranked team in the world. However, amidst the jubilation, a peculiar incident unfolded during the match involving a fan donning a Matildas scarf. The individual was abruptly escorted from the grandstand by two police officers for unfurling an Iranian flag.
In the video clip, officers are observed restraining the man and leading him away from his seat. Journalist Mark Gottlieb, who captured the incident on camera, tweeted, “‘Tonight at Suncorp Stadium a fan was kicked out for displaying an Iranian flag during the #fifawwc quarter-final between France and Australia. No idea why.'”
Gottlieb shared an additional clip, revealing the events leading up to the ejection, including a heated exchange between the man and stadium security. Amid the confrontation, a background voice can be heard remarking, ‘It’s going to get messy.’
FIFA regulations, accessible on the stadium’s official website, stipulate that fans are allowed to bring ‘small flags, banners, and posters’ as long as they are constructed from nonflammable materials. Nevertheless, ‘items of a political, offensive, sexual, discriminatory, or commercial nature are strictly prohibited and may result in expulsion from the stadium.’
The fan’s expulsion sparked a range of reactions from the public, with numerous expressing their disapproval on Twitter. One fan vented, ‘Unless there was something else we missed, this is absolutely ridiculous. Should be raised to @fifacom @fifawwc – good luck trying to host a Men’s World Cup with this attitude Australia.’
Critics questioned the incident’s implications on freedom of expression. One individual remarked, ‘This has been the sorry state of affairs with the security at Suncorp stadium for many years now. What happened to freedom of expression?’ Another echoed similar sentiments, writing, ‘Unless there’s more to the story, this seems like an overreach.’
As the controversy unfolds, the Matildas prepare to face England in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday night in Sydney, following England’s 2-1 victory against Colombia, the European champions.
