Soccer

Tipperary man held after World Cup pitch invasion

Oisín McQuinn (22) interviewed by police for three hours after France-Switzerland game

Switzerland’s Xherdan Shaqiri (right), and Stephan Lichtsteiner (left), fight for the ball with France’s Patrice Evra during the group E preliminary round match between Switzerland and France in the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, at the weekend.Photograph: Peter Klaunzer/EPA
Sean Ryan
Mon Jun 23 2014 - 09:39

While the France v Switzerland game in World Cup 2014 will be remembered for its goal-fest, it will also be recalled for its pitch invasion by an Irish fan.

Oisín McQuinn (22) spent three hours being interviewed by Brazilian police before being released.

Tipperary native Mr McQuinn, a product and design student at the University of Limerick, has been touring South America with friends. While in Salvador he secured tickets to the France v Switzerland game, which the French won 5-2 on Thursday last. Togged out in French body paint, and wearing just a pair of shorts, Mr McQuinn tried to get on to the pitch.

However, the man from Ahenny in south Tipperary was quickly tackled by security and escorted away for questioning.