Football mascot injured and stretchered off by four blokes after rugby tackle from rival
FC Nantes were beaten at the hands of Stade Rennes, but they might be more concerned over their mascot, Riri, who was stretchered off being ruby tackle by his opposite number
Bizarre scenes in Ligue 1 over the weekend saw FC Nantes' mascot, Riri, stretchered off during their clash with rivals Stade Rennes.
During a challenge, where both mascots were appearing to get the crowd going, Rennes' mascot - a white ermine named Erminig - decided to clatter into Riri. The yellow canary went flying into the ground, with its head flying off into an opposite direction.
However, when cameras cut back to Riri, who had somehow put their head back on, they are being attended to by paramedics. Riri can then be seen on a stretcher as a team of medical proffesionals lead him off the pitch.
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"Replacing the mascot’s head pre-stretcher is key here," one fan joked. While a second responded: "The mascot literally lost his head when he was rugby tackled & they put it back on his head for him being stretchered off. Can’t have the magic ruined for the kids!"
"Everything happens in Ligue 1. What a league," a third said. And another added: "Protect French football at ALL costs."
What do yu think of the tackle, should be ready for a phone call from the French RFU? Let us know in the comments section
To add insult to injury, Nantes were hammered 3-1 by Rennes in the clash. Rennes moved up to sixth place with the win, while Nantes dropped down to 13th - with just two points above the drop zone.
However, the bigger story in France is at the base of Ligue 1, where European giants Lyon sit on just two points. With a goal difference of -10, Lyon are yet to win a game this season.