‘Flannel shirt guy’ sparks social media frenzy over pitch invader’s spoiled escape at World Cup qualifier

Video has surfaced of a pitch invader having his escape spoiled by a fellow spectator at last week’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Australia and Bahrain, but social media users aren’t happy with how the events unfolded. Full video:

Suspect apprehended!

Video has surfaced of a pitch invader having his escape spoiled by a fellow spectator at last week’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Australia and Bahrain, but social media users aren’t happy with how the events unfolded.

The incident started when a young man ran onto the field in the final 10 minutes of Australia’s defeat, running at speed from one end of the stadium to the other through play.

Video taken from a spectator shows the suspect jumping the field’s barrier and escaping two security officers as the crowd cheers.

What happens next has sparked a flurry of comments on social media about the conduct of a fellow spectator.

A man several rows back can be seen jumping his section’s barrier and rushing towards the unfolding incident, leaning over the railing to grab the suspect by his clothing.

Video shows pitch invader's escape halted by fellow spectator

The video shows the suspect lifted from the ground by his jumper hood and into the railing before police officers take over.

Comments on a video posted to TikTok were torn on the incident, with many believing the man – dubbed ‘flannel shirt guy’ – was out of line.

Video shows pitch invader's escape halted by fellow spectator

“He didn’t need to grab him like that damn,” one user commented.

“That guy is a lame.

“I hope he sees all the hate he getting from this.

“Yeah flannel shirt dude was def the type to remind the teacher for homework,” others wrote.

Some users were less concerned about his actions, instead pleased the pitch invader had been stopped.

“Good job by flannel guy. (They) should respect the 25,000 who paid to watch a soccer match, not some nut run across the pitch,” one commented.

“Idc I’m team flannel shirt. Tired of people disrupting games for clout,” another wrote.

Police can be seen taking the suspect outside of the stands through a nearby aisle tunnel, though it is unclear what happened next.

Originally published as ‘Flannel shirt guy’ sparks social media frenzy over pitch invader’s spoiled escape at World Cup qualifier