The halftime show of Super Bowl LIX, starring Kendrick Lamar, had an unexpected moment when one of the cast members displayed a flag of the countries of Palestine and Sudan. The act, which was not planned as part of the production, led to their immediate arrest by the authorities.
Zül-Qarnain Nantambu, a resident of New Orleans and identified as the person responsible for the incident, got into a car that was part of the set and waved a flag with the names "Gaza" and "Sudan" written on it. According to witnesses, Nantambu had allegedly hidden the flag in his clothing before the show and unfurled it in the final moments of the presentation.
Dancer who displayed the flags of Palestine and Sudan at the Super Bowl is arrested
The NFL confirmed that Nantambu was part of the group of 400 people who participated in the show's choreography, but that his action was not authorized or rehearsed beforehand.
The live broadcast did not capture the incident, but images and videos of the moment quickly went viral on social media, generating mixed reactions.
After the event, the NFL declared that the dancer will be banned for life from all stadiums and events organized by the league.
"The individual concealed the object on their person and revealed it at the end of the show. No one involved in the production was aware of their intention," said league spokesperson Brian McCarthy.
The New Orleans Police Department reported that they are evaluating what charges could be filed against Nantambu. In the meantime, the artist used his social media to confirm his identity and share images of his arrest.
Mixed opinions after halftime of the Super Bowl
Pro-Palestine and Sudanese groups have praised his action as an act of bravery, while other voices have criticized the interruption of a sporting event with a political message.
Roc Nation, the entertainment company in charge of producing the show, clarified in a statement that the act was not part of the choreography and was never rehearsed.
Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show, part of the Super Bowl spectacle, remained uninterrupted and received praise for its staging and artistic content. However, Nantambu’s act has sparked a new debate about the relationship between sports, entertainment, and social protest at high-profile events.