Over the weekend, Emirati authorities arrested a man for filming a racist skit featuring Indian expat workers locked up in a cage, Khaleej Times reported.
In the clip, the workers can be seen standing behind bars while the man sits outside, asking them who they're going to support in the 2019 AFC Asian cup - which is currently taking place in the UAE.
"Today is the match between the UAE and India. I hope we win the game. Of course, I locked these men in here so they don't go cheer their national team," he said.
The man turns to the workers and asks them who they'll be rooting for, to which they respond with "India".
He then tells them they can't support India because they live in the UAE and only unlocks the cage when the men say they'll cheer the Emirati football team.
In a statement released following the man's arrest, the UAE Attorney General's office said:
"Legal action was taken, with reports submitted to the prosecutor's office. A warrant was issued for the man who made the video, and he was arrested and brought in for questioning. Not only is the act a criminal offence punishable by law in the UAE, it does not reflect the values of tolerance and respect."
Sharjah's police department also issued a statement on the matter in which they wrote:
"In response to the videos posted online which exhibit excessive prejudice during football matches, those responsible for spreading such videos have been apprehended. Spreading such videos contradicts our laws in the UAE," the statement read.
"These individuals have been referred to the public prosecution for further investigation. Such actions do not represent neither the traditions nor the values upon which we were raised in the UAE, even if it was meant as a joke."
The man's video angered thousands online
The video went viral after being uploaded to YouTube and has since been posted on other social media platforms.
Thousands were angered by the footage and thought is was absolutely unacceptable, while others believed it was simply a joke that backfired.
Amid the backlash, the man sent out a clip explaining how the video was meant to be a joke.
"These men are my workers, one of whom I've known for 22 years. I live with my men on this farm, we eat from the same plate. I did not beat them, nor did I truly 'lock' them up. This is the Year of Tolerance. Please understand my intentions," he added.
However, the man's explanation did little to calm down those angered by his clip.
Though some made light of the incident
"The man made this video as a joke. Emiratis are good people, I lived with them for 40 years and never saw anything but goodness here."
Many were outraged by it
"He deserves this"
The man now faces punishment under the UAE's anti-discrimination law
The UAE's anti-discrimination law criminalizes "all forms of discrimination on the grounds of religion, caste, creed, doctrine, race, colour or ethnic origin."
If convicted in the case related to the incident, the man might face penalties that range from six months to more than 10 years in jail and fines from 50,000 dirhams ($13,612) to 2 million dirhams ($544,510).
