Gallery: Notorious Soccer Prankster Nabbed After Facebook Update
01the-falcon-takes-off
Finally, the Falcon has been snared. For most of this year, a 23-year-old Italian soccer fan named Mario Ferri has been terrorizing stadium security and delighting fans on three continents with his antics (almost always involving Italian soccer) of running onto the field, either in the name of activism or for his own seemingly unending amusement. However, Ferri may have been grounded for good, thanks to his loose lips and flair for the dramatic. Let's take a look back at the Year of the Falcon, and how he was ultimately undone by his own actions. __Above:__ The Falcon Takes Off -------------------- Ferri first made national news in May when he charged the field in Sampdoria during the club's Serie A match against Napoli. His shirt read "Cassano in Nazionale," which was a message to the coach of Italy's national soccer team to pick Antonio Cassano for the World Cup roster. (The coach ultimately did not.) Since the incident, he's technically been under house arrest in his home country.
02falcon-grounded
Falcon Grounded --------------- Of course, Ferri is a tech-savvy 23-year-old, so it should come as little surprise that he would record this jailhouse experience after one soccer-related run-in with the law.
03scoping-out-security
Scoping Out Security -------------------- Ferri obviously hoped to make a splash at the World Cup in South Africa, but with Italy being eliminated in the opening round, the Falcon saved his best work for the Germany vs. Spain semifinal match. Here, you can see him scoping out the security that was all around before the match, even zooming in on a possible entry point.
04preparing-for-the-invasion
Preparing for the Invasion -------------------------- Like any rabid soccer fan, though, Ferri fully enjoyed the entire World Cup experience, here taking the time to hobnob with one (fairly drunk) Spain fan before his own moment in the spotlight.
05falcon-flies-on-the-world-stage
Falcon Flies on the World Stage ------------------------------- Finally, it was time for the Falcon to fly onto the world stage. Although he was quickly yanked by security, Ferri made his presence known with a shirt that scolded the Italian national coach for not picking the players he suggested. (Waving a vuvuzela around like a maniac was just icing on the cake.)
06a-new-late-night-star
A New Late-Night Star --------------------- Over the course of 2010, Ferri has achieved folk-hero status in Italy, even appearing on late-night talk shows to regale viewers with tales of his continuing shenanigans.
07falcons-continuing-adventures
Falcon's Continuing Adventures ------------------------------ Ferri's final high-profile appearance of 2010 came in October during the Champions League match between Real Madrid and AC Milan. Maybe Ferri was tired from such a busy year, but who knows how far he would have gone had he not slipped on the pitch.
08falcons-last-flight
Falcon's Last Flight? --------------------- Finally, 10 days ago, the Falcon was nabbed in Abu Dhabi, after he ran onto the field during a match between Inter Milan and TP Mazembe Engleberta. This time around, Ferri's usual Superman shirt was adorned with the words "Free Sakineh," a reference to [Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani](http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/03/sakineh-mohammadi-ashtiani-execution), the Iranian mother of two who faces death by stoning. Ferri was [promptly arrested](http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/26/mario-ferri-pitch-invader-arrest) by UAE authorities, and his passport was confiscated. However, he made this video (wearing yet another kind of Superman shirt) and posted it on Facebook, announcing how he was going to try and escape by stowing away on a cruise ship. (Incidentally, he also took time to denounce his treatment at the hands of local police.) But before he could execute his escape plan, Ferri was promptly rearrested and taken into custody in Abu Dhabi, where he now awaits trial. *Thumbnail image: EPA/ALI HAIDER*
