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FOUR World Cup final protestors have been handed 15-day prison sentences.

The members of the band Pussy Riot, wearing police uniforms, ran on to the pitch during the showpiece clash between France and Croatia on Sunday.

 One pitch invader high-fived Kylian Mbappe after running on to the field of play in the World Cup final
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One pitch invader high-fived Kylian Mbappe after running on to the field of play in the World Cup finalCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Paul Pogba was nonplussed as members of the punk band Pussy Riot invaded at the World Cup final at the Luzhniki Stadium
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Paul Pogba was nonplussed as members of the punk band Pussy Riot invaded at the World Cup final at the Luzhniki StadiumCredit: Getty - Contributor
Pussy Riot release video explaining why the invaded the pitch at the World Cup final

With Russian president Vladimir Putin and other dignitaries from around the world watching on, the act was seen as bold and brazen, as it disrupted a potential Croatian attack.

The judge also banned the four from attending sports events for three years.

The four were Veronika Nikulshina, Olga Pakhtusova, Olga Kurachyova and Pyotr Verzilov, the only male.

Kurachyova said their stunt, which held up the game only briefly, was meant to promote freedom of speech and condemn policies of Fifa, soccer's global governing body.

 Marcelo Brozovic dons a Russian policemans cap worn by one of the memebers of Pussy Riot
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Marcelo Brozovic dons a Russian policemans cap worn by one of the memebers of Pussy RiotCredit: EPA
 Dejan Lovren took exception to the pitch invaders as it disrupted a passage of play where Croatia had gained momentum
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Dejan Lovren took exception to the pitch invaders as it disrupted a passage of play where Croatia had gained momentumCredit: Getty - Contributor
 A member of Pussy Riot is dragged off the field of play by security
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A member of Pussy Riot is dragged off the field of play by securityCredit: Getty - Contributor
 The pitch invaders dragged their feet as they were hauled off
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The pitch invaders dragged their feet as they were hauled offCredit: EPA
 The protests were watched by hundreds of millions around the globe
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The protests were watched by hundreds of millions around the globeCredit: EPA

Kurachyova said: "It is a pity that we disrupted the sportsmen.

"Fifa is involved in unfair games unfortunately. Fifa is a friend of heads of states who carry out repression, who violate human rights."

Verzilov said the performance was also meant to show how "the state, in the form of the police, intrudes into people's lives".

Three of Pussy Riot's original members were jailed in 2012 for staging a protest against Putin in a church and the group has since become a symbol of anti-Kremlin direct action.

 Lovren was furious with one of the intruders
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Lovren was furious with one of the intrudersCredit: Getty - Contributor
Detained Pussy Riot protesters who invaded the pitch at the World Cup final are interrogated by furious police officers

Croatian defender Dejan Lovren, who pushed the male intruder aside on the pitch, told reporters the incident had interrupted the game at an important moment for his team.

The match, which France won 4-2, was watched from the stands by Putin and the French and Croatian presidents.

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