‘Tango Man’ issues an apology as he details that ‘confrontation’ with Qatar security during England’s World Cup match against Wales.
He is well known for attending match topless, but on this occasion as had to apologised after he got into trouble for doing just that in the Arab nation.
As you may have seen in viral social media posts, Paul Gregory, 60, was faced with security officials and warned that he would be kicked out of the ground if he did not put his shirt back on during Tuesday night’s game.
Exposing body parts is considered a cultural taboo in Muslim conservative Qatar and in some instances, can lead to arrest, so the steward had handed him a black shirt to cover up.
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He has since apologised for his actions, though says that even some security personnel wanted to take selfies with him at half time.
He said to MailOnline: ‘I didn’t mean to show disrespect to anybody.
‘I have realised that taking my shirt off, and showing my body in public, might be offensive to local rules, so I had no intention of doing that. I’m really sorry if it offended any Qataris’
He says that he took his shirt off after being asked by a photographer in the stadium, adding: ‘A photographer came over to me about an hour before the match kicked off. He showed me a picture on his phone.
‘He had taken one of me in Russia at the World Cup four years ago and said he wanted to do a picture of me, here too and I thought it might just take a few seconds so I said okay.
‘But then he was joined by many other photographers. They were like ants gathered around me.
‘This brought me to the attention of the security officials , and I was asked to put my shirt back on. There was never any problem.’
Asked if the sight of his shaven head and topless figure with tattoos might appear menacing to some he said: ‘I am not out to harm anyone. In fact I would help anybody if I could.
‘I am not a right wing skinhead. I love football and having fun with other supporters. It is as simple as that. ‘
Referring to England’s 3-0 win he said: ‘it wasn’t a very good first half for England. But they were better and deserved the win. Now I think we can go on to at least to the quarter finals.’
He and his partner Rachel have spent their time during matches learning Bollywood dancing at an Indian night club and have been befriended by locals.
Paul was dubbed ‘Tango’ more than 30 years ago during while watching Sheffield Wednesday play Crystal Palace.
Gregory admits he weighs around 19 stones and was given the nickname ‘Tango Man’ based on his well-rounded physique.
He said: ‘When I went to the loo at half-time some of the security officials, asked me to take my shirt off again and do selfies with me, which was quite funny.’
Asked if the sight of his shaven head and topless figure with tattoos might appear menacing to others, he said: ‘I am not out to harm anyone. In fact I would help anybody if I could.
‘I am not a right wing skinhead. I love football and having fun with other supporters. It is as simple as that. ‘
On England’s 3-0 win he said: ‘it wasn’t a very good first half for England. But they were better and deserved the win. Now I think we can go on to at least to the quarter finals.’
Fans reacted as ‘Tango Man’ issues an apology as he details the ‘confrontation’ he supposedly had with Qatar security during the England – Wales match…
@RossTC21: Keep on rocking Tango. For king and country! 🏴
@MudRanDumb: keep doing your thing, Tango! matches aren’t the same without your shirtless passion 😂 WAWAW
@southeyowl: Hi Paul maybe you should have painted the English flag on your chest. I notice that they didnt make the Ghanaian bloke who painted his entire body with their flag put his shirt back on. They just had a nice long close up of him in the crowd. See You back at Hillsborough soon pal
@krisconvery: Keep it up Tango. You follow England home & away and seem a brilliant human being. Shirt off, so what. Keep calling us home pal! 🏴🦁🦁🦁
@thunderchuffer: Those that know you, know that your are nothing but a gent who has time for everyone he meets! WAWAW 🦉
@rflinders1953: Keep doing what your best at !! Never mind the haters ❤️
@DanStevens1986: Keep doing what you do tango mate, top bloke
@SWFCLiam04: THERES ONLY ONEEEE, PAUL GREGORY, ONE PAUL GREGORYYYYY, THERES ONLY ONE PAUL GREGORY!
@AlexSwfc142: Keep doing it Tango. We’re all behind you 🦉🏴
@linziramma: Your a gentle giant tango …peace and love ✌🏼
@CaesarTitus_: Keep ya top on you danger.
@hanrats: Enjoy yourself big man never mind the bollocks 😉
@AllsSwell: How bloody ridiculous! Glad you were there pal, as you rightly should be. Coming home today was a shock to the system. It’s freezing !
@wayne_everett1: Keep you’re chins up tango man 👊🏻🏴🍻
@1kydere: doing us all proud mate 🏴🏴 GSTK!
— JP (@joshquanaa) November 30, 2022
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