Iraqi Kurd banned from football stadium after taking selfie with Ronaldo

Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Dilman Bakhtiyar, a Kurd from the Kurdistan Region, who abruptly broke onto the pitch at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, was barred from entering the stadium for 10 months.

The fan drew the attention of players and soccer fans at the stadium when he broke through barriers and rushed the Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo to take a selfie on Tuesday. 

"Since my childhood, I had been dreaming of seeing Ronaldo," Bakhtiyar said of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner for being the best football player in the world. "After the match finished, as the stewards were busy controlling the fans, I seized the opportunity and approached Ronaldo."


Dilman Bakhtiyar gives his mobile phone to Cristiano Ronaldo as he is being restrained by event staff on October 23, 2018, at Old Trafford stadium in Stretford, England. Photo: AFP via Getty


He said the officials caught him "and did not let me reach him. But, Ronaldo came to me and asked what I wanted and whether I had a mobile with me. I gave him my mobile and he, himself, took the selfie."

Bakhtiyar is from the town of Chawrqurna in Sulaimani’s district of Raniya in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. He has been living in Manchester, England, for many years. 

The selfie taken by Ronaldo was submitted to Rudaw by Dilman Bakhtiyar.


"I told Ronaldo that I love you and I want to take a picture with you. Later, Ronaldo asked the stewards to allow me to take a picture with him," he said. "I was thrilled. Last night I fulfilled my dream. I am happy, extremely happy," he said.

 

The selfie came at the end of the victory of the Italian team over Ronaldo's former teammates, Manchester United in the Champions League. 


"It is okay," Ronaldo said during the scuffle, multiple sports media outlets have reported. 

 

Video: Skifbull YouTubevideo


Before he was sent out of the stadium, Bakhtiyar gave a thumbs-up to Ronaldo, with the Portuguese star reacting kindly.

Juventus won the match 1-0. 

Updated at 10:37 a.m.