- Over a decade ago in the Colombian league, there was a situation that made headlines all over the world: soccer player Luis Moreno kicked an owl, the home team’s mascot.
- The visiting player left the stadium with the help of the police. The vets treated the bird, but the owl died a few days later
- Moreno was punished by the Panamanian, but not severely. Soon after, he ended his football career
- You can read more interesting stories on the new PrzegladSportowy.Onet.pl website. Check!
The owl was the unofficial mascot of Club Atlético Junior de Barranquilla, and was considered a mascot by fans. She “lived” on a daily basis on the roof of the Metropolitan Stadium. On February 27, 2011, Atlético played against Deportivo Pereira. During the match, the owl fell to the grass and was hit by a ball a moment later. The bird was stunned and unable to fly under its power. Suddenly Luis Moreno of the visiting team approached him and kicked the helpless animal, which fell a few meters away. on the web You can find recordings of this dangerous situation.
You can find the rest of the article below the video:
The reaction of the Deportivo Pereira and Panamanian national team player angered the local fans. “Killer! Killer! Killer!” – the fans shouted at the football player leaving the stadium, who was punished with a red card and had to leave the stadium, accompanied by the police.
The Panamanian player’s behavior also angered the home team’s players. “I was really angry because he hit a little animal who had already been hit by the ball. I said some harsh words to him – I reported the team’s striker Luis Paez.
The match was televised nationally and the Owl kick stance caused widespread outrage. Representatives of animal rights organizations and environmental groups called for sanctions against the footballer and staged a protest in front of the Football Association building in the capital, Bogota.
Kick the team mascot. The owl died a few days later
“Luis Moreno committed an act of cruelty,” the disciplinary committee wrote. “The animal was practically a symbol for the home fans, and given that this assault took place in their stadium in front of spectators, it is clear that this act could be considered a provocation.” in the current situation.
The owl was taken to the Zosalud Veterinary Clinic in Barranquilla. The vets said he was under stress, but the x-rays showed no fractures. But a few days later, they reported that the animal had died due to respiratory failure.
Luis Moreno apologized immediately after the match, but his words were not sincere. “I did it to see if an owl could fly”, he said shortly after the match, though he later admitted “the kick was the result of a tense situation on the field”. In Colombia at that time, there were no laws regulating penalties for animal abuse.
Luis Moreno apologizes to “the whole country”
The Panamanian apologized again at a press conference and said he would take full responsibility for what happened. “I apologize to the whole country, and even more so to the Barranquilla fans. If I get a penalty, I will humbly accept it,” he said.
Moreno was disqualified for two games and fined $560. In addition, he had to cover the costs of treating the owl and was ordered to do community service at the zoo.
Luis Moreno was born in 1981 and played just eight matches for Deportivo Pereira. In 2011 he joined Panamanian Tauro FC, and a year later he ended his career. In the years 2001-2011, the defender played 76 matches for the Panamanian national team.
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