Protester injured as stadium security break up demonstration at football friendly

A peaceful protest at the Luxembourg-Slovenia football match on Friday night escalated into violence when security personnel forcibly intervened, leaving at least one demonstrator injured, according to the organisers.

The action, led by advocacy group CID Fraen an Gender, was staged in response to the national team's decision to include Gerson Rodrigues in its squad. Rodrigues has been convicted of domestic violence, receiving an 18-month suspended sentence – confirmed on appeal – for assaulting his former partner.

The protest, which lasted around 20 minutes, remained non-violent until security agents began tearing down banners and confronting the demonstrators.

In a statement issued after the incident, CID accused stadium security of using excessive force. Protesters were reportedly shoved and had materials "brutally ripped" from their hands. One demonstrator was reportedly injured during the altercation and was later taken to hospital with a suspected broken finger.

According to the group, a security agent "violently pulled at her jacket and arm" even after she had let go of the banner.

"We are appalled by this completely unjustified level of violence inflicted on a group of peaceful protesters", the organisation said. "The irony is staggering: people protesting violence against women were themselves met with violent repression."

Questioned by journalists around 10pm, Joël Wolf, secretary general of the Luxembourg Football Federation (FLF), admitted to having given the order to remove the first banner, which read "Red card to the FLF", on the grounds that he mistakenly believed it to be displaying a profane message directed at the FLF.

© Tom Rees

The federation thus believed it was complying with UEFA regulations, which prohibit any banners that are insulting, promote violence or racism, or convey political messages.

However, Wolf also stated that he never gave the order to remove the banners condemning violence against women, asserting that it was in no way a political message and that the FLF fully supported the cause. "It was the stadium security stewards who took that initiative", he said.

Joël Wolf also clarified that the removal of the first banner led to a security officer being assaulted and resulted in the expulsion of six or seven individuals from the stadium.

In the run-up to the game, the Luxembourg Football Federation (FLF) had defended Rodrigues' selection by saying it does not want to impose a "double punishment".

Minister demands apology from FLF officials

Speaking to RTL, Sport Minister Georges Mischo sharply criticised the actions of the security personnel and FLF officials. He said that it was terrible that the protest had been interrupted, calling it a violation of freedom of expression.

An apology was needed, he stressed, adding that he planned to address the issue with those responsible in the coming days.