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Parrot booted from UK soccer game for imitating ref's whistle

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 21, 2009 2:25 PM CST
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(Newser) – A rare parrot had to be thrown out of a British football match when he began imitating the referee’s whistle, the Daily Mail reports. The parrot’s call was so realistic it actually stopped play dead 10 minutes into the second half, and continued disrupting the game thereafter. The cheeky bird also shouted “pretty boy” at some of the players.

“I’ve sent a few people off in my time,” said the ref, “but I’ve never sent a parrot off before.” At first the referee thought the noises were being made by the bird’s owner. “When I confronted her she said, ‘It’s not me, it’s my parrot.’ I got a hell of a shock.” The woman left peacefully, but vowed that the bird would be back. “He loves his football,” she said.

Parrots play with a soccer ball during a parrot soccer match at South Korea's largest amusement park to celebrate the 2006 World Cup.
Parrots play with a soccer ball during a parrot soccer match at South Korea's largest amusement park to celebrate the 2006 World Cup.   (Getty Images)
The parrot will be back, his owner vows. Because he just loves the game.
The parrot will be back, his owner vows. Because he just loves the game.   (Shutterstock)
Polly want a red card?
Polly want a red card?   (Shutterstock)
A parrot's whistle confused players at British soccer game, and the bird also called them pretty boys before being sent home by the referee.
A parrot's whistle confused players at British soccer game, and the bird also called them "pretty boys" before being sent home by the referee.   (Getty Images)
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Parrot banned from football stadium
Telegraph (UK)

 
soccer • parrot • red card

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