A live chicken made its way onto the field during the opening moments of a English Premiership match between Blackburn and Wigan Athletic on Monday, holding up play for several minutes.
The chicken was wearing a Blackburn flag and was thrown onto the field at Ewood Park, Blackburns’ stadium, by the home fans.
Blackburn is owned by Venky’s, an Indian company that specializes in chicken meat processing. Unleashing the chicken on the field was a form of protest from Blackburn fans, who are unhappy with how the owners have run the club.
The chicken strutted around the field before it was eventually captured, and play resumed.
Within minutes of the chicken being taken off the field, a Twitter account for the Blackburn Chicken was established and it quickly earned over 500 followers!
Blackburn went on to lose the match 1-0, resulting in their relegation from England’s first division.
Eggs-celent work to the stewards getting me off of the pitch safely!
— Ewood Chicken (@EwoodChicken) May 7, 2012