Pro-Palestine protester invades pitch at Cricket World Cup final

Wen Johnson faces charges including criminal trespassing after disrupting match between Australia and India

A pro-Palestine pitch invader breached the security cordon at the Narendra Modi Stadium during the World Cup final in Ahmedabad. Reuters

He was tackled by security during the match between India and Australia where 130,000 fans were in attendance. Reuters

The incident took place during India's innings and he got as far as Virat Kohli before being apprehended. Reuters

He wore a face mask with a design of the Palestine flag and a T-shirt with the slogan "Stop bombing Palestine". Reuters

Israel and Palestine militant group Hamas have been engaged in a war since October 7. AP

More than 13,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed by the Israeli military, according to the health ministry in Gaza. AP

Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza

An Australian wearing a pro-Palestine T-shirt and a mask bearing the Palestinian flag invaded the pitch during Sunday's Cricket World Cup final and tried to embrace Indian batsman Virat Kohli.

Wen Johnson, whose T-shirt had the slogan “stop bombing Palestine”, entered the field as India was batting against Australia in front of 130,000 supporters at the Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad.

About 6,000 police were stationed at the stadium for the showpiece match, but Mr Johnson was able to cross a fence and run towards Kohli.

The incident appeared to startle the cricketer, with security personnel soon removing Mr Johnson from the pitch.

He was detained by police and now faces charges of criminal trespassing and voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servants from their duty.

Mr Johnson, 24, told Australian media he supported Palestine. The Gaza Strip is being bombed by Israel following an attack by Hamas on October 7 that killed about 1,200 people. More than 13,000 have been killed in retaliatory strikes on the Palestinian enclave.

Protester Wes Johnson was able to reach Indian cricketer Virat Kohli during the World Cup final in Ahmedabad. AP

The Australian is reportedly a TikTok prankster with a history of disrupting sporting events.

He breached security at the Fifa Women's World Cup final in Sydney in August, invading the pitch while wearing a “free Ukraine” T-shirt. The incident caused a 20-minute delay to the match.