RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – The mascot of Brazilian league champions Atletico Mineiro has been banned for one game for “intimidatory” behaviour in final weekend’s metropolis derby in opposition to Cruzeiro, the state soccer federation introduced on Tuesday.
Atletico’s nickname is the rooster and their mascot was behind the objectives when Cruzeiro opened the scoring after 70 minutes of Sunday’s game on the Mineirao stadium.
He instantly ran to stop one the Cruzeiro gamers celebrating in entrance of followers, throwing his arm out to cease him.
The Minas Gerais state soccer federation mentioned the motion was an “intimidatory gesture” and banned the man-sized hen from Atletico’s subsequent residence game in opposition to Atletico Caldense on March 19.
The assertion additionally mentioned it was “essential to undertake pedagogical strategies to cease comparable practices” sooner or later.
Atletico received the match 2-1 with a last-minute purpose however didn’t touch upon the mascot’s fowl behaviour.
(Reporting by Andrew Downie; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
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