Kannur (Kerala), Nov 16 (PTI) A man was arrested for allegedly destroying the flag of Portugal that had been raised at a roadside junction in Panur area here by the fans of football sensation Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of the FIFA World Cup.

The video of the man tearing apart the European nation's flag went viral on social media after some online platforms claimed that the man, allegedly a BJP supporter, destroyed the flag as he mistook it for the flag of SDPI, a political party.

Also Read | PAK-W vs IRE-W 2022: Gaby Lewis Stars in Ireland Women’s Historic T20I Series Win Over Pakistan in Lahore.

The Social Democratic Party of India (DPSI) was floated by the now-banned Islamist outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) a decade ago.

The incident was reported from Panur Vaidyar Peedika on Tuesday evening.

Also Read | Poland vs Chile, International Friendly 2022 Live Streaming & Match Time in IST: How to Watch Free Live Telecast of POL vs CHI on TV & Free Online Stream Details of Football Match in India.

Police, however, said the man may be a BJP supporter but he did the act in an inebriated state.

"He is not an active worker of the BJP and he does not have the history of creating troubles," a police officer told PTI.

Flags of other nations including that of Argentina and Brazil have also been erected at the junction by the football fans of these nations, they said.

The man was released on station bail after charging him under relevant sections of the Kerala Police Act, they added. The BJP has not reacted to the allegations.

Football fever has gripped the state ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)