Notorious pitch invader strikes again during Norway 5-0 Israel with message for Gaza

A notorious pitch invader from Italy, Mario Ferri, struck again during the World Cup qualifier between Norway and Israel on Saturday evening, entering the field of play with a message of support for the people of Palestine: ‘Free Gaza’. 

Ferri, nicknamed Il Falco (‘The Falcon’) entered the field of play during Norway’s 5-0 win over Israel on Saturday evening, wearing his usual blue superman t-shirt with a message on the front and back that read: ‘Free Gaza’. Norway and Israel are in the same World Cup qualifying group as Italy.

As per La Gazzetta dello Sport, the 38-year-old, who originally comes from Pescara, was briefly taken to hospital after his stunt on Saturday to check over a deep cut on his hand. 

A post shared by Mario Ferri il Falco (@marioferrifalco)

Ferri has invaded the pitch during several previous high-profile matches over the last 20 years, beginning in Italy and later expanding across the globe. 

He famously entered the pitch on numerous occasions during the 2000s, demanding the inclusion of Antonio Cassano in Italy’s 2010 World Cup squad, a stunt that proved to be unsuccessful. 

He also invaded the pitch during the FIFA Club World Cup final between Inter and Mazembe in Abu Dhabi with the words ‘free Sakineh’, in reference to Sahineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, who had, at that time, been sentenced to death by stoning.