Fans are worried about what will happen to a 'brave' pitch invader who just interrupted the Portugal vs Uruguay game to raise awareness of LGBT rights with a rainbow flag.

Early in the second half, play was briefly halted by the referee as a pitch invader sprinted onto the turf waving an LGBT flag while wearing a 'Save Ukraine' t shirt.

The man dropped the flag during his run, and it was then picked up by the match official before TV cameras quickly cut away.

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The man's run onto the pitch was largely missed by TV directors, who seemed to want to avoid giving the runner any exposure.

Portugal's clash with Uruguay was halted by an LGBT protester on the pitch
Portugal's clash with Uruguay was halted by an LGBT protester on the pitch

Of course, the Qatar World Cup has been marred by complaints over the nation's LGBT issues. It's illegal to be gay in Qatar, while the country also has a history of human rights abuses.

Viewers who caught the moment during ITV's coverage of the game are concerned about what is going to happen to the fan

@_yousefNY said: "A guy really just ran across the field with a lgbt flag"

@liljacmel said: "pitch invading in Qatar with an LGBT flag is crazy cuz what are you thinking"

@philclarke0170 said: "Pitch invader waving an LGBT flag. Doubt he’ll ever be seen again. And zero evidence will exist in 24hrs he ever did."

@laceygrahamm said: "That person run across the pitch with the LGBT flag in a big Qatar world cup? We aren't seeing them again.."

@reviloLDN said: "That pitch invader running onto the pitch with an LGBT flag is brave"

@eurovibez said: "Somebody threw LGBT flag on the playground and the referee took it away and the audience started to boo ..."

@troymendousPW said: "Omg I’m actually concerned for the consequences of that pitch invader holding LGBT flag given Qatar’s homophobic laws."

@jacques said: "Really don’t get why ITV didn’t show that. Was just an LGBT flag, not someone swinging their c*** about."

No official comment has been made by FIFA or Qatar authorities about the pitch invader.

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