Cricket World Cup final hit by pro-Palestinian protester as field approaches Indian superstar Virat Kohli before being whisked away by security
A pro-Palestine supporter made his way onto the field during the Cricket World Cup final and approached Virat Kohli before being removed by security.
Australia’s clash with India was disrupted after a man wearing a ‘FREE PALESTINE’ t-shirt entered the field of play in Ahmedabad, where 130,000 fans were in attendance for the big match.
The field invader also wore a green, red, white and black face mask and headed towards Kohli.
He was apprehended by security, removed from the field and play resumed.
Protests against the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas have been widespread since Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7.
A pitch invader entered the field of play during the Cricket World Cup final on Sunday
The intruder wore a ‘Free Palestine’ t-shirt and approached Indian superstar Virat Kohli
He was detained by security before being removed from the playing field
About 1,200 people were killed, while more than 200 soldiers and civilians, including children and women, were taken to Gaza as hostages.
In response, more than 11,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed by the Israeli army, according to the Gaza Health Ministry – which is run by Hamas.
There have been calls for an immediate ceasefire, with around 300,000 people gathering in London for a rally in front of Gaza earlier this month.
This is not the first time a pitch invader has disrupted Australia vs India in this tournament. Last month, infamous British prankster Jarvo 69 – real name Daniel Jarvis – took to the field of play in an India kit. He also approached Kohli.
Jarvis’s antics saw the ECB launch a security investigation in 2021 when he disrupted three consecutive Test matches between England and India.
The BBC also conducted an investigation into Jarvis this year managed to enter Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Molineux Stadium and taped a mobile to the furniture on set.
Jarvis then called the phone from his home, the ringtone – sounds from a porn clip – sounding as Gary Lineker introduced the live FA Cup match between Wolves and Liverpool to an audience of millions.
The embarrassing groaning noises started shortly after Match of the Day coverage began on BBC1, leaving the pundits visibly confused and viewers in disbelief, especially those watching with children.
Lineker said afterwards that it was a ‘good joke’ and quite funny, and that the BBC did not need to apologise. But the fact that Jarvis managed to obtain a device and install a phone raises major security questions about the company’s remote broadcasting operations.
Jarvis, from Gravesend, Kent, has been arrested several times for his on-field invasions.