CHINESE POLICE detained a young football fan and barred him from stadiums for a year after he invaded the pitch and embraced Lionel Messi during an Argentina-Australia friendly in Beijing, authorities said Friday.
The jersey-clad man ran onto the pitch at the Worker’s Stadium midway through the match’s second half on Thursday night and scored a hug from his idol before being chased down by guards.
The crowd roared and clapped at the man’s antics, but police were not amused.
“The Chaoyang District public security bureau has already imposed administrative detention on him in accordance with the law,” police said in a statement on Friday, identifying the 18-year-old by his surname Di.
Police ordered Di not to attend matches at stadiums for the next 12 months.
“Di also expressed remorse for his actions and accepted the punishment from the public security organ,” the statement added, without specifying how long Di had been detained or whether he had been released.
Messi is idolised in football-mad China, where the underperforming national team and struggling domestic league are chronic sources of disappointment.
More than 50,000 people in Beijing braved the searing heat on Thursday to watch Messi lead his team to a 2-0 win over the Socceroos.
Many donned replica shirts bearing Messi’s name, while others wore blue-and-white face paint and waved miniature Argentina flags.
Hundreds of fans had massed outside the team’s luxury hotel earlier in the week and lined heavily guarded streets in the hopes of catching a glimpse of their hero.
One fan told AFP he had hidden inside the janitor’s closet at the Argentinian team’s hotel hoping to get close to Messi.
He was caught and questioned by hotel security before being released.
Great read.
Fair play Curtis, always a great player, a great ambassador and very articulate.
Great article
Great read, didn’t realise how though his childhood was with his mother’s passing so young. Great determination to bring up his siblings and make an impact across the water.
An inspiring story, hopefully he gets a chance to coach in England in the future
Great read. He makes a good point about number of BAME managers versus number of BAME players… The former should be much higher.
Interesting guy,i hope his coaching career brings success.
I remember Curtis when he worked in a newsagents in Talbot street Dublin 1
Very nice guy
Great article and wishing Curtis the best of luck going forward
A great guy and a very enjoyable read. Best of luck Curtis!
Great read.
Great article. Let’s not shy away from our shortcomings as a country, no one should be victim to this sort of abuse. Welcome the diverse next generation of Ireland
A Boro legend
Curtis is a legend. Racism is a cancer destroying society.
Who gives a fuvk if you slate brown white back who cares your Irish x
@BriP75: stupid comment. Evidently some people cared enough about his skin colour to racially abuse the man growing up. That sort of ignorant attitude is the reason why racism still exists in society. Educate yourself…