By Following his invasion of the pitch and hug of Lionel Messi during an exhibition match between Argentina and Australia in Beijing, Chinese police apprehended a teenage football supporter and banned him from stadiums for a year, according to reports on Friday.
Midway through the second half of the game on Thursday night at the Worker’s Stadium, a guy wearing a jersey went onto the field and received an embrace from his hero before being pursued by security.
The man’s actions drew cheers and applause from the audience, but the cops were not amused.
According to the legislation, the Chaoyang District Public Security Bureau has already placed the 18-year-old in administrative custody, according to a statement from the police on Friday, identifying him by the surname Di.
Police ordered Di not to attend matches at stadiums for the next twelve 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.
In the football-crazed nation of China, where the underwhelming national team and floundering domestic league are constant causes of disappointment, Messi is revered.
On Thursday, more than 50,000 spectators defied the oppressive heat in Beijing to witness Messi lead his team to a 2-0 victory over the Socceroos.
Many wore imitation Messi jerseys, while others painted their faces white and blue and waved little Argentine flags.
Earlier in the week, hundreds of supporters had gathered in front of the team’s opulent hotel and lined highly patrolled streets in anticipation of seeing their idol.
One supporter told AFP that to get closer to Messi, he had concealed inside the janitor’s closet at the Argentine team’s hotel.
Security at the hotel apprehended him and questioned him before letting him go.
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