A football enthusiast in Goa landed in legal trouble after invading the pitch during the Asian Champions League 2 clash between FC Goa and Al Nassr to take a selfie with Joao Felix. The incident occurred at Fatorda Stadium, where the Saudi Pro League team visited India for a high-profile match.
Although Cristiano Ronaldo did not travel with the squad due to rest after international duty, excitement among Indian fans was at an all-time high, with thousands eager to witness Al Nassr’s global stars. Among them was Portugal’s Joao Felix, known for his stints with Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, and FC Barcelona.
The fan reportedly climbed over the barricades and ran onto the field, approaching Felix during warm-ups to snap a selfie. While the Portuguese forward briefly posed, security personnel quickly intervened and escorted the fan off the pitch.
FIR Filed and Selfie Deleted
Authorities confirmed that an FIR was registered against the individual, who was detained overnight for formalities and later released. According to South Goa Superintendent of Police Tikam Singh Verma, “We filed an FIR but arrest was not required. He was kept in custody only until the documentation was complete.” The fan was also asked to delete the selfie from his phone as part of the procedure.
The AFC is expected to review the breach seriously, as such security lapses during international matches raise concerns about player safety. Reports suggest that Al Nassr’s management could face a fine of up to ₹8.8 lakh for the incident.
On the pitch, FC Goa delivered an impressive performance despite being the underdogs. Goals from Kingsley Coman, Joao Felix, and Sadio Mane led Al Nassr to a 2-1 victory, with Goa’s Brison Fernandes scoring the consolation goal before halftime.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of crowd control and responsible fan behavior, even amid excitement over global football icons.