A Panamanian footballer is facing severe punishment after kicking an injured owl during a match.
Video footage showed the bird was struck by the ball , prompting the referee to stop play in the Colombian championship match between Pereira and Atletico Junior.
As the referee and players discussed what to do, Pereira defender Moreno - apparently impatient over the delay - kicked the bird towards the touchline with his left foot.
"The player should be severely punished for this painful, horrible act of intolerance," said Ramón Jesurum, the president of the Colombian league.
He added that the case would go before the league's disciplinary committee.
Atlético Junior fans chanted "murderer" at the Panamanian player. Moreno was also reprimanded by opponents and he apologised after the game, reports The Guardian.
"I apologise to the fans, it wasn't my intention," he said, as he left the field escorted by radio reporters and police.
Colombian media said the owl had been rescued by ground staff and taken to a vet. Its condition was reported to be serious.
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