The fan who rushed on to the stage to hug Justin Bieber during the pop star’s concert in Dubai on Sunday night will not face charges.
Dubai Police said today that they were not investigating the incident which occurred during Bieber’s second show at the Sevens Stadium.
The teenage boy who managed to grab Bieber while he was playing the piano was quickly tackled by a group of security guards who then dragged him off stage.
“A young fan desperate to meet his idol did make his way on stage,” said Thomas Ovesen, chief operating officer of the show’s promoter, Done Events. “He was ejected from the venue by security staff after they determined he was harmless.”
Mr Ovesen said the boy was about 13 or 14 years old.
Sabrina Hoss, 15, saw the event unravel from her front-row position at the concert.
“It happened all of a sudden when the guy sprinted on stage,” she said. “Everybody thought he was a dancer but because I was at Saturday’s concert I knew it wasn’t part of the show.”
Sabrina said she was surprised the fan got past security and that it was a boy rather than a girl.
“Justin looked scared and freaked out. He stopped singing for a couple of seconds and then continued on the side of the stage.”
As the fan was being dragged off stage, Bieber and his band continued with the performance, minus the piano, which tumbled off a platform during the tussle and had become unplayable. “The piano legs were broken so they had to wheel it off,” Sabrina said.
Bieber tweeted today: “Dubai. Nothing stops the show.”
After the concert, Jon M Chu, director of Justin Bieber's Never Say Never 3D concert film, tweeted: "Wow. @justinbieber was the ultimate professional again as he is almost tackled on stage by a fan and keeps performing."
tsubaihi@thenational.ae
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
Ultra processed foods
- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns
- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;
- energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces
- infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes,
- many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts.
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
