World Cup Quarterfinals Halted...Why Are Spectators Running Onto the Field?

YouTuber Intrudes During Argentina-Netherlands Match
Group Stage Game Captures Backflipping Spectator and Human Rights Activist

At 4 a.m. KST on the 10th, during the quarterfinal match between Argentina and the Netherlands held at Lusail Stadium in Qatar, Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, a famous Russian YouTuber, ran onto the field and was restrained. Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] At the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup, there have been repeated incidents of spectators invading the pitch. Following incidents during the group stage where spectators were seen doing somersaults on the field or holding rainbow flags, a match was also interrupted in the quarterfinals due to a YouTuber's pitch invasion.

According to the British media outlet Daily Star, during the Argentina vs. Netherlands quarterfinal match held at Lusail Stadium in Qatar at 4 a.m. Korean time on the 10th, a spectator ran onto the pitch.

The identity of this spectator was Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, a famous Russian YouTuber. He had previously caused controversy by invading the pitch during the 2014 Brazil World Cup final between Germany and Argentina. At that time, his YouTube channel subscribers surged to about 10 million due to the worldwide attention his invasion attracted.

On this day, he ran onto the field shirtless, with the phrase "Vitaly the GOAT" written on his body. The interrupted match was only able to resume after security guards escorted Zdorovetskiy off the pitch. The reason for the invasion has not been disclosed in detail.

On the 1st (Korean time), during the Group D third match between France and Tunisia held at Education City Stadium, a spectator ran onto the field and performed several somersaults. Photo by Reuters

This is not the first pitch invasion incident at this World Cup. Earlier, on the 29th of last month, during the Group H second match between Portugal and Uruguay held at the same stadium, a spectator carrying a rainbow flag symbolizing solidarity with sexual minorities and opposition to all discrimination invaded the pitch.

The front and back of the shirt worn by the spectator at that time bore the phrases "Save Ukraine" and "Respect to Iranian Women," respectively. The individual was identified as Mario Perriro, an Italian national and human rights activist.

On the 1st, during the Group D third match between France and Tunisia held at Education City Stadium, a similar incident occurred. During the second half, a spectator suddenly ran onto the pitch and performed several somersaults. The match was immediately stopped, and the incident was resolved after intervention by security personnel.