Kazakhstan Champions League representatives, Shakhter Karagandy, received a harsh word or two from international soccer's governing body, UEFA, this week after word came out that the Kazakh team had been practicing animal slaughter around matches.
Before a 2-0 win over Celtic last Tuesday, it was reported that Shakhter had sacrificed a sheep in the lead-up to the match. We've heard of pre-game rituals, but this may take that idea a little bit too far. And apparently animal rights group, PETA, agrees. The organization sent a letter to UEFA this past week, expressing their dismay and disappointment about the incident, and urged UEFA to take action against Shakhter.
In a letter to Shakhter executive director Yerden Khalilin, UEFA competitions director Giorgio Marchetti said:
Although certain practices may be culturally rooted, they have no place in or around a sporting arena or event. In this context, I would like to make you aware that animal slaughter on a football pitch or in a stadium before, during or after a UEFA competition match - or with reference to a UEFA competition - is totally improper, and will not be tolerated. In case of re-occurrence, it will inevitably lead to a full investigation by our disciplinary bodies.
So there you have it, folks. No animal slaughter ever around match time, which is probably definitely for the best. Sounds pretty reasonable to us anyway, but, hey, to each their own, right?
[via Daily Mail]
