World Cup: Dutch fan with inflatable breasts escorted from stadium

Rod Gilmour
·Feature writer
Updated ·2 min read
1
Doha, Qatar. 21st Nov, 2022. DOHA - The Titsman Harry Goudsblom ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 group A match between Senegal and the Netherlands at Al Thumama Stadium on November 21, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. ANP MAURICE VAN STONE Credit: ANP/Alamy Live News Credit: ANP/Alamy Live News
Harry Goudsblom ahead of the Group A match between Senegal and the Netherlands. (ANP/Alamy Live News)

A well-known Netherlands supporter was escorted out of a World Cup stadium venue 'by 20 police officers' for wearing his traditional inflatable breasts, as well as his OneLove armbands promoting inclusivity and unification.

The incident occurred on Monday during the Netherlands’ opening group stage match against Senegal in Doha.

According to Dutch media, Qatari police wanted to remove his armbands while also ordering him to remove his chest wear.

Read More: UFC fighter launches astonishing attack on Brazil's football team

Goudsblom is one of 50 Dutch fans whose trip to the World Cup was sponsored by the emirate in exchange for favourable social media posts and reporting any negative coverage along the way.

Initially Goudsblom encountered no problems at Al Thumama stadium. "Until during the match I saw a guard talking to an agent and pointing at me. But an officer made a gesture of ‘let it go’,” he told Dutch publication AD.nl.

DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 21: Fans and supporters of Holland in the Dutch fan parade in Doha prior to the Group A - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 match between Senegal and Netherlands at Al Thumama Stadium on November 21, 2022 in Doha, Qatar (Photo by Pablo Morano/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
A Dutch fan parade in Doha prior to their opening World Cup game. (Getty Images)

He said the group continued to party outside on the grounds of the stadium after the Dutch had won.

"Then suddenly an overzealous cop showed up and started acting difficult," Goudsblom said. "I had to take off and hand in my OneLove captain’s armbands.

"Then I had to leave the stadium grounds, accompanied by twenty police officers. And along the way I also had to take off my breasts."

The Oranje fan contacted the Dutch Football Association to iron out the issue this week and was hoping to be back in the stands for the Netherlands’ encounter with Ecuador on Friday night.

DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 25 : Hazard Eden midfielder of Belgium with the ONE LOVE armband during a team photo session of the Belgian National Football team ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group F match between Belgium and Morocco on November 25, 2022 in Doha, Qatar, 25/11/2022 ( Photo by Vincent Kalut / Photo News via Getty Images)
Eden Hazard with the One Love armband during a team photo session. (Getty Images)

Read More: Iran World Cup fan holding Mahsa Amini shirt is confronted by security

The incident follows several issues faced by football supporters during the opening week of the World Cup.

Fifa has confirmed that fans are now allowed to take rainbow flags and colours into stadiums.

The OneLove campaign was started by the Dutch FA in 2020 to promote inclusivity and unification.

This week, seven European nations, including the Dutch, England and Wales, abandoned plans to wear the anti-discrimination symbol after Fifa threatened sporting sanctions, including yellow cards for players.

Watch: Wales fans 'devastated' after 2-0 loss to Iran