People have flooded to social media to praise a British football fan who gave a message in Arabic on live TV.
Prepare to see what the true spirit of football looks like:
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England took on Wales in the 2022 Qatar World Cup on Tuesday (29 November).
Smashing the match with a score of three nil, England fans were left elated by the win.
However, one man in particular chose the moment he was interviewed on live television to not just celebrate his country, but also raise important awareness for another.
The fan has since received an outpouring of support online.
In the video, the fan tells the Qatar Living reporter he has 'just two things to say'.
He continues: "One, football, it's coming home.
"And number two, free Palestine!"
The fan says his second point in Arabic, having previously apologised for the 'little' he knows.
His final statement is met with raucous applause and cheering from those behind him and a chant begins of: "Free! Free! Free!"
The video has since been shared widely online and on multiple social media platforms, with viewers having flooded to the post to applaud the British fan.
One TikToker said: "The world is healing... thank you Qatar."
"The way he said Arabia & Palestine. Mashallah," another wrote.
An Instagram user quoted: "'In extending our hands across the miles to the people of Palestine, we do so in the full knowledge that we are part of a humanity that is at one.' - Nelson Mandela."
The 2022 World Cup has been the subject of controversy ever since it was announced it would be held in Qatar.
While Qatar has said LGBTQ+ fans are welcome to come to matches, the country has a poor human rights record with laws against same-sex relationships leading to imprisonment or even death.
The English and Welsh FAs faced backlash in the media after it was announced the teams would be pulling out of wearing 'One Love' armbands during matches.
Qatar has also faced allegations of building a wall around the less affluent areas of the country to keep poverty from view during the World Cup.
However, this moment of a British fan speaking out on live TV, using the opportunity to not just celebrate his own country but show solidarity with those in Palestine amidst continued tensions with Israel, has been viewed as a 'beautiful moment of unity'.
A Twitter user resolved: "I hope this guy has a wonderful day.
"A lot of the British media coverage has been divisive but despite their best efforts, they can’t prevent beautiful moments of unity like this.
"This is what the World Cup is about!!"
Featured Image Credit: Qatar Living/ TikTok
Topics: UK News, TV and Film, Twitter, Social Media, Viral
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