This archive report was first published on 7 November 2019.
On November 3, 2019, a bizarre incident occurred during a semi-professional football match in eastern Croatia. Ivan Gazdek, a 23-year-old player from NK Jelengrad, was sent off for killing a chicken that had run onto the pitch.
The match was being played on a pitch in eastern Croatia, where a brood of chickens had wandered onto the field. Gazdek, in an attempt to chase the birds away, kicked one of them with his foot, causing it to die instantly.
The incident was widely condemned by animal rights groups, with Animal Friends strongly denouncing the 'shameful act and cowardly behaviour of the player against an innocent animal who died with crushed bones and in pain.'
Gazdek, who claims to be an animal lover and owns several pets, argued that the killing was not intentional. He stated that he had been trying to chase the chickens away and had accidentally killed one.
According to local media, Gazdek also complained about the unhygienic conditions on the pitch, citing the presence of chicken faeces.
Animal Friends has announced plans to file charges against Gazdek for the 'criminal act of animal killing or torture.' If found guilty, he could face up to one year in prison.
