This archive report was first published on 7 November 2019.
Croatian Footballer Sent Off for Kicking Chicken to Death During Match ¶
On November 7, 2019, a bizarre incident occurred during a semi-final match between NK Jelengrad and Jasenovac in Croatia.
According to reports, a chicken invaded the pitch, causing chaos and disrupting the game. Ivan Gazdek, a 23-year-old player for NK Jelengrad, attempted to chase the chicken away but ended up kicking it to death.
Gazdek then picked up the chicken's body and tried to throw it over the fence, but the referee brandished a red card for his violent behavior.
Speaking to local news website 24 Sata, Gazdek revealed that the referee gave him his marching orders and sent him off for 'unsportsmanlike conduct.'
'Believe me, it was not intentional. The result was far from certain at that moment and I was nervous. Chickens are constantly entering the field, so the game must be stopped. The terrain is full of unhygienic conditions,' Gazdek said.
'I ran to the chickens a little to chase them away, I swung my foot and killed one by accident,' he added.
Despite being sent off, Gazdek's team went on to win the match by 8-1, advancing to the finals.
After the match, Gazdek wrote an apology letter to the owner of the chicken and even bought a new one as a gesture of goodwill.
