Player apologizes for killing team mascot

A Panamanian soccer player  who kicked and killed the owl mascot of an opposing team has apologized and said “it will never happen again.”

Luis Moreno, who plays for Deportivo Pereira kicked the bird during a league game against Atlético Junior at the Roberto Meléndez Stadium in Barranquilla The owl flew onto the field during the game, and Moreno kicked the bird, enraging the fans. He was pulled from the game for his own safety.

The owl died from its injuries and Moreno, whose life has been threatened, faces possible criminal charges in Colombia.