Mario Ferri, the protester who stormed the field at the World Cup match between Portugal and Uruguay, has been released without being charged by authorities, the Italian Ministry said, per BBC. Ferri ran onto the field wearing a shirt that read “Save Ukraine” and “Respect for Iranian woman” and waived a rainbow pride flag in the air.
The Italian protester was briefly detained before being released. Qatar’s Supreme Committee confirmed Ferri was released, but would also be banned from future World Cup matches.
On Instagram, Ferri explained why he ran onto the field.
“A message for Iran where I have friends who suffer, where women are not respected … THE WORLD MUST CHANGE, we can do it together with STRONG gestures, which come from the heart, WITH COURAGE,” he wrote in Italian.