Bear's performance before Russian soccer match condemned by animal-rights group
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A bear performs before a Russian Second League soccer match. (AP)
A New York-based animal rights group condemned a Russian soccer club Monday after one team used a bear to pump up the crowd before a match.
The stunt occurred Sunday before a match in Pyatigorsk. Footage from the game showed the bear being led to Mashuk-KMV Pyatigorsk club's stadium clapping at spectators and handling a soccer ball.
Russian third division football - Mashuk-KMV v Angusht in Pyatigorsk. Tim the bear on the sidelines getting the crowd warmed up! #Russia @RusFootballNews @CrazyinRussia pic.twitter.com/Ev36YhgnU3
— Mark Bullen (@markgbullen) April 16, 2018
The stadium announcer claimed the bear, named Tina, would participate in the World Cup’s opening ceremony in Moscow in June. However, soccer authorities haven’t confirmed that rumor.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}World Animal Protection group condemned the stunt, saying that it’s clear from the footage that “cruel training methods have been used” on the bear.
The bear was borrowed from a traveling circus, Mashuk-KMV manager Rustam Dudov told the Sport Express. The circus asked the club about the bear performing before the match.
Dudov said the Russian Football Union approved the performance.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Associated Press contributed to this report.