A fan broke through security and ran onto the pitch during Bangladesh’s SAFF Championship match against Sri Lanka, heading straight for midfielder Hamza Chowdhury.
Footage from the stadium shows the fan sprinting across the grass toward a group of Bangladesh players in white. He reaches Hamza and wraps both arms around him in a tight grip, holding on as the player tries to step back and free himself.
Match officials and nearby players watched as stewards in high-visibility vests and police officers rushed over. It took several of them to pull the supporter off Hamza. They then dragged him away across the pitch toward the touchline as the crowd in the stands looked on.
Hamza stayed on his feet throughout and did not appear to be hurt in any way. Once the fan had been removed, he carried on with his teammates as if nothing had happened.
The incident lasted only a few seconds, but it showed how easily a spectator was able to reach the players. Pitch invasions put players at risk, and the gap between the fan entering the field and security arriving will worry organisers and supporters alike.
Since he joined the national team, Hamza has become one of the biggest draws in Bangladeshi football, with fans turning out in large numbers to see him play. That popularity brings huge excitement, but it also brings pressure on venues to keep players safe.
This incident is likely to raise fresh questions about pitch security at SAFF Championship matches.
