 | | Mike Riley dismisses Kingsley Royal |
The giant lion, who wears Reading's blue and white hooped shirt at home games, was sent off by the referee because he was confusing him. "I can see where the referee was getting confused," said Reading manager Steve Coppell after the game. "He does look like so many of my players." Not the first Kingsley is the latest in a long line of football mascots to fall foul of referees. QPR's seven-foot feline mascot Jude the Cat was sent to the stands in similar circumstances in February 2005. At the time Rangers chairman Bill Power came out in fierce defence of Jude. "This is a terrible injustice. We'll fight to clear Jude's name," he told the 成人快手. Jude himself expressed concern over a touchline ban, but said that wasn't his worst fear. "I've been told my smoked salmon and cream might be taken away. I'll be back on KiteKat and semi-skimmed milk." Back in 2000, an assistant referee became embroiled in a row with Oldham Athletic's supersized owl mascot, having flagged the owl offside on more than one occasion. The owl had to go. Dumbarton's mascot holds the record for quickest sending off, trotting in for an early shower after just four minutes when its yellow jersey was adjudged to clash during a game with Raith. Robbie entertains
 | | Newcastle's Michael Owen defends the lion |
But the true champion of mascot dismissals is Bury FC's Robbie the Bobby who - ironically, given his appearance as a policeman - found himself sent off three times in as many months in 2001. Robbie's third dismissal, during a game against Bristol City, came following a 30-yard dash and belly-flop when Bury scored from the spot. The Bobby proceeded to pull his infamous "moon" celebration at supporters, leading the official to dismiss him for "stupidity". He had been sent off for the same celebration against Stoke earlier in the season, and had walked a second time for a fight with Cardiff mascot Barclay the Bluebird. He narrowly avoided a fourth red for pulling the ears off Peterborough's rabbit mascot. Fans' favourite At the moment it's unclear what penalty Kingsley will face, but fans have many memories of the lion's previous escapades. '1871 Royal' suggests this may not be Kingsley's first dismissal, alluding to an occasion when the lion saw red for "handling the ball". Although 'Royal Lady' suggests Kingsley deserved to see Reading captain Graeme Murty sent off for a violent attack on the lion. "Murts flattening him has got to be up there," she says. "Especially when his head came off." 'Forbury Lion', who ought to have particular sympathy for his fellow big cat, adds Kingsley should previously have been cautioned for play-acting. "He was play-fighting before one game and pretended to go down. He was on the ground for quite some time, not moving, and after about 15 minutes - when the team were out of the tunnel - a number of us in the stands were actually concerned. "He might have been in need of urgent medical attention and was being ignored by officials because he was a big, furry lion. Just as I went to speak to a steward, though, he got up." | 
