Kazakhstan’ soccer champions, Shakhtar Karagandy, have been warned that they will face disciplinary action if they sacrifice any more sheep before European games, UEFA said yesterday.
“The UEFA Competition department has written to FC Shakhter Karagandy to inform them that animal sacrifices are not acceptable in or around our competitions & that the club will face sanctions if it happens again,” said UEFA.
Animal rights group PETA last week called on UEFA to ban the ritual slaughter of animals after reports that Shakhter had killed a sheep before their Champions League playoff tie at home to Celtic (they won 2-0, it’s hard to argue with success).
“We’re very grateful for UEFA’s swift & firm action condemning such cruel & archaic practices”, said PETA’s Mimi Bekhechi.
“UEFA has sent a clear message that there is absolutely nothing sporting about violence towards animals.”
Shakhter were facing Celtic in Glasgow in their return match later last night for a place in the group stage of Europe’s lucrative top tier club competition (they lost 3-0, maybe the substitute sacrifice of the goal keeper wasn’t such a smart move, but at least it kept PETA happy).
ThursdayAgain 
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