As if missed opportunities and a loss by 2-0 against UAE in AFC Asia Cup were not hard enough to bear, a video of Indian football fans being harassed has gone viral. In the video, a UAE local can be seen asking Indian fans locked up in bird cage which team they will support in the clash between UAE and India. It’s only after they agree to cheer for UAE that he unlocks the bird cage and lets them go.
According to Khaleej Times, the man has been arrested by the authorities (UAE Attorney General’s office) for harassing the Indian origin people and inciting violence via social media.
“Legal action was taken, with reports submitted to the prosecutor’s office. A warrant was issued for the man who made the video, and he was arrested and brought in for questioning,”
دولـة الامارات العربية المتحدة
النائب العام للدولة: تم اتخاذ الإجراءات القانونية ضد صاحب فيديو حبس أشخاص من الجنسية الآسيوية داخل قفص طيور ليدفعهم لتشجيع المنتخب الإماراتي وعرضه على النيابة المختصة باعتبار أن هذا المسلك جريمة معاقب عليها قانونا ولايعبر عن قيم التسامح فالإمارات pic.twitter.com/twUlfbsXaQ— فاطمة الحبسي (@AlhabsiFatma) January 11, 2019
However, the arrested man issued a clarification by posting another video. He said:
“These men are my workers, one of whom I’ve known for 22 years. I live with my men on this farm, we eat from the same plate. I did not beat them, nor did I truly ‘lock’ them up.”
There seems to be little clarity as yet about whose version is correct. Social media has already picked sides however
Shame that too in the year of tolerance , no words to say to this arrogance
— naveed rahman (@naveedcalicut) January 11, 2019
I’m a indian and I can’t expect this thing in UAE
Football is football
Not your dominant
So why indian in UAE not support our national team
Because of fear
I think this indian and related country not safe there
Please @fifacom, @UEFA, @FBI, @Indianfootball help themboycott UAE
— Reneto Leó José Martínez (@LeoReneto) January 11, 2019
@afcasiancup This look into this matter. Gross violation of human rights.
— C’anon (@123corruption) January 11, 2019
“A day will come when we cage the Arabs who have come to work here. This isn’t a hope. This is a promise!”
Dear,@narendramodi @Swamy39 @SushmaSwaraj @republic @PTI_News see what they are doing to our people there. I’m so upset! :'(#TreatIndiansWellhttps://t.co/1r1nzbcDu1
— Vinay Venugopal (@devilsownlawyer) January 12, 2019
The man, brandishing a stick, is seen sitting and talking to several workers locked up in a bird cage
He asks them who do they support between the UAE & India
When they say India, he tells them that’s not good, they live in the UAE and should support ithttps://t.co/JRp8wZhS3J
— Amit Kumar Singh (@KrAmitSingh75) January 11, 2019
Earlier India won their first match in Asia Cup 2019 beating Thailand by 4-1. The blue pilgrims need a win against Bahrain on January 14 to qualify for the knockout stages.
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