Stunned macaque, dressed in a pink Cerezo Osaka kit, was encouraged to first control the ball with their feet before delivering it to referee
ANIMAL rights activists have slammed the Japanese League for using a CHAINED monkey to showcase a match.
An official encouraged the macaque, dressed in a pink Cerezo Osaka kit, to first control the ball with its feet before delivering it to referee Hiromu Kimura.
The stunned animal did so amid drums and fan cheering in Osaka's noisy 47,000-seater Nagai stadium before Sunday's clash against Lukas Podolski's Vissel Kobe.
Peta - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - condemned the stunt and urged Japanese football chiefs to retire the monkey.
A spokesperson blasted: "This stunt defies the very spirit of football – a fair game between willing participants.
"For the monkey, who's being used as a living prop, it's no game.
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An official holds the monkey's chain while encouraging it to perform tricks
"Usually in such cases, animals are under the threat of violence with an electric shock prod, and often, their teeth are removed.
"Monkeys forced to perform at events are usually taken away from their mothers shortly after birth – a heart-breaking trauma from which neither they nor their loving mothers ever fully recover – and are deprived of everything that's natural and important to them.
"To get them to perform silly tricks, trainers break their spirits through methods involving the fear of punishment.
"PETA urges the J League to call a red card on using animals for any stunts and to retire this monkey to an accredited sanctuary where he or she can enjoy some semblance of a natural life."
Former Arsenal star Podolski was unable to inspire victory for his new side as they fell to a 3-1 defeat.
Podolski, 32, signed for Vissel Kobe in March from Galatasaray.
Club president Hiroshi Mikitani said: "We have high expectations that Podolski can help Vissel Kobe win the championship."
