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BRAZIL

Atlético Mineiro rooster mascot banned for intimidatory gesture

Atletico Mineiro's mascot 'Galo' has been banned for one game for 'intimidatory' behaviour in last weekend's city derby against Cruzeiro, the state football federation have announced.

Reuters
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FILE PHOTO: Atletico Mineiro's mascot before a match on Nov. 7, 2021. REUTERS/Washington Alves/File Photo
WASHINGTON ALVESREUTERS

The mascot of Brazilian league champions Atletico Mineiro has been banned for one game for "intimidatory" behaviour in last weekend's city derby against Cruzeiro, the state football federation announced on Tuesday.

Atletico's nickname is the rooster (Galo in Portuguese) and their mascot was behind the goals when Cruzeiro opened the scoring after 70 minutes of Sunday's game at the Mineirao stadium.

He immediately ran to prevent one the Cruzeiro players celebrating in front of fans, throwing his arm out to stop him.

The Minas Gerais state football federation said the action was an "intimidatory gesture" and banned the man-sized chicken from Atletico's next home game against Atletico Caldense on March 19.

BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL - MARCH 06: Ademir of Atletico Mineiro celebrates after scoring the second goal of his team during a match between Atletico MG and Cruzeiro as part of Campeonato Mineiro 2022 at Mineirao Stadium on March 06, 2022 in Belo Horizonte,
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BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL - MARCH 06: Ademir of Atletico Mineiro celebrates after scoring the second goal of his team during a match between Atletico MG and Cruzeiro as part of Campeonato Mineiro 2022 at Mineirao Stadium on March 06, 2022 in Belo Horizonte, Pedro VilelaGetty Images

The statement also said it was "necessary to adopt pedagogical methods to stop similar practices" in the future.

Current Brazil national champions Atletico won the match 2-1 with a last-minute goal.