Tag: mascots

Crystal Palace mascot absent from matches due to bird flu fears

And no, this doesn’t mean Big Sam will be quarantined over mad cow fears

(Crystal Palace/Instagram)

Crystal Palace’s real, live American bald eagle mascot, Kayla, has been restricted from attending matches in recent weeks due to bird flu related restrictions from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. Though this might sound like the opening to a satirical story about Palace’s struggles this season, it appears to be very real.

From the Evening Standard:

“Kayla is ‘grounded’ due to restrictions for Avian Flu issued by DEFRA,” Eagle Heights, where Kayla lives, confirmed to Standard Sport. “She will be back once restrictions are removed.”

All captive birds must be kept away from their wild counterparts until February 28 to avoid the spread of avian influenza, more commonly known as bird flu.

Kayla has been soaring around Selhurst Park for years now, and this isn’t the first threat she’s faced. In 2015, a Charlton fan was arrested for trying to punch her during a cup tie.

https://whatahowler.com/man-arrested-for-trying-to-punch-crystal-palaces-bald-eagle-5acce4f151cb

Sadly, the restrictions placed on Kayla also mean that she couldn’t go to Nando’s with Palace manager Sam Allardyce, leaving him to dine alone. Sad.


https://upscri.be/16bb19/

Child mascot dab-fakes opposing goalkeeeper’s handshake attempt

Further proof that children are merciless


Before Heidenheim’s 2. Bundesliga match at Hannover 96, goalkeeper Kevin Müller sweetly went to high five the outstretched hand of a Hannover mascot. What he did not know was that he was blindly wandering into a trap devised by the vicious mind of a child.

As Müller swung his arm for the friendly greeting, the child pulled back and dabbed as Müller felt the breeze against his gloved palm. Müller smiled, because he had to, and turned away, presumably vowing to never trust the good nature of a child again.


This is just the latest example in a long history of child mascots showing professional footballers who’s boss. In 2013, a Spurs mascot laid waste to Luis Suarez, then with Liverpool, in the pre-match handshake line.

And then there’s the original master. I’m not sure Steven Gerrard ever recovered from this.


https://upscri.be/16bb19

DTotD: Player sent off for cynical challenge on football playing BBQ sauce bottle mascot

Central Coast Mariners held a testimonial for retiring captain John Hutchinson and the match included a mascot dressed as a BBQ sauce bottle, because why the hell not?

The sauce bottle weaved its way through a group of players loitering around the middle of the pitch to set itself up for a clear shot on goal, but Brent Griffiths cut the bottle down with a vicious tackle from behind. This earned Griffiths a red card. In a testimonial. Against a sauce bottle.

The match also included a ball boy in goal at one point and ended 12-5 in favor of Hutchinson’s team. The main takeaway from all of this, however, is that the world needs more footballing BBQ sauce bottles.

This has been the Dirty Tackle of the Day: a chronicling of unfortunate events. 

Video via The Mirror