Security personnel for the international football association FIFA tossed out video journalist Peter Louis Gume from the Juba stadium yesterday during the match between Benin and South Sudan, which ended in Benin’s favor 2-1.
The security officer wearing a FIFA badge “prevented photographers from moving inside the stadium and expelled Peter Louis, Al Jazeera cameraman, from inside Juba Stadium,” said one journalist who witnessed the event.
Another witness confirmed the incident saying that the security man had blocked Peter’s camera and touched it or grabbed it, then grabbed the journalist’s arm and escorted him out.
The security had forbid journalists from shooting from the far side of the stadium, but “Peter was setting up his camera in the corner, not on the far side,” according to the witness.
The security measure was unusual for the Juba Stadium, where journalists usually are allowed access to the far side of the field.
A number of journalists walked out of the stadium in solidarity with the ousted videographer.
The incident happened while FIFA President Gianni Infantino was present in Juba Stadium.
Top photo: FIFA security official in dark suit at right. Bottom: The same official wearing yellow FIFA pin.