Owl-killing footballer banned for seven games for viciously kicking opponent

Luis Moreno, the Panamian footballer who was banned for two matches for kicking an owl on a pitch in February, has been banned for seven matches for kicking out at opponent during a league game in the Columbian first division.

Deportivo Pereira defender Moreno was given the ban for a vicious kick at an opponent, who, rather like the owl, lay defenceless on the ground during Deportivo Pereira’s 2-1 defeat to Deportivo Cali (see video below).

The Columbian football authorities have deemed this offence to be three and a half times worse than when Moreno lashed out at the owl back in February.

On that occasion, Deportivo Pereira were in action against Atletico Junior when an owl was hit by a football and collapsed on to the turf near the corner flag. The owl, regarded as a mascot by Atletico fans, lay motionless on ground until booted out of the way by Moreno to the disbelief of the opposition players and to the anger of the home crowd.

The incident gained massive notoriety on the worldwide web and provoked anger amongst animal rights groups, but Moreno’s punishment was a mere two game ban and a paltry fine. If you can bring yourself to do so, check out Moreno’s f-owl behavior below.