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Police said Sahal was hauled away by security personnel stationed at the stadium and detained. “Legal action was taken. He was later released after registration of an FIR,” said a senior police officer.
The Goa Police booked a 27-year-old man from Kerala, who jumped over a fence and ran onto the field to click a selfie with Portuguese footballer Joao Felix during the AFC Champions League Two group match between Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr FC and Indian Super League club FC Goa on Wednesday.
FC Goa suffered a 1-2 defeat to Al-Nassr in the match held at Fatorda’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Ever since Al-Nassr, the club team that Cristiano Ronaldo plays for, and FC Goa were drawn in the same group in the competition in August, speculation had been rife about the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s first visit to India. Earlier this week, however, Al-Nassr head coach Jorge Jesus announced that Ronaldo did not travel for the match because he had been rested.
The incident took place during the second half of the match. Sahal Gafoor jumped over the south fence and ran towards Felix, who was warming up alongside other Al-Nassr players. In a video of the incident, Sahal — wearing a jersey with Cristiano Ronaldo’s name on the back — could be seen embracing Felix, before taking a selfie with him.
The police complaint lodged at Fatorda police station said the accused “jumped from the spectator area by clinging on to the metal railing and entered the restricted area (field of play) and further ran towards the player, thereby violating lawful order promulgated by the authority, trespassing restricted area and endangering the life of international players of Al-Nassr and FC Goa…”
Sahal, who is from Kozhikode in Kerala, told The Indian Express he is a “die-hard” fan of Portuguese superstar footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I was overjoyed. I hugged Felix and clicked a photo with him. I told Felix to tell Ronaldo that I am his biggest fan. That’s why I ran towards him. This is not about publicity. I am crazy about football. The police detained me and also deleted the selfie from my phone. But I am not worried. I fulfilled my dream. People are texting me saying I am lucky,” Sahal said.
Police said Sahal was hauled away by security personnel stationed at the stadium and detained. “Legal action was taken. He was later released after registration of an FIR,” said a senior police officer.
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An FIR was lodged under sections 125 (act endangering life or personal safety of others), 223(3) (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and 329 (criminal trespass and house-trespass) of BNS.
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