A huge rooster mascot has been forced to apologize for sexist behavior towards a member of the women’s soccer team.

The Atletico Mineiro employee, dressed up as Mad Rooster, made Vitoria Calhau twirl around before walking away rubbing its hands together.

Mad Rooster was out on the pitch before the Brazilian league women’s match kicked off on Sunday. As the players were presented to the crowd, the mascot appeared to peck one player on the hand.

The employee then took defender Calhau by the hand and prompted her to spin around. After the match, the club posted a video which showed the employee writing out an apology to the women’s team.

Bizarrely, the mascot was still dressed, suggesting the club may not have been treating the situation seriously.

“It’s not just an apology, it’s a learning experience,” the caption read.

And the apologetic letter read: “I started to write this letter for you, but I realized that a letter needs to be addressed to the whole team.

“I have always represented joy and I never intended to embarrass anyone, but times have changed and I’m glad that they changed. I apologize, wholeheartedly. I talk about recognizing a mistake, repenting and changing. It’s not just words, because I really learned it.

“I know that I learned in a difficult way, but I believe that I can evolve. This is a great opportunity for all of us to improve and understand that respect is above all.”

The club also released a statement to apologize for the “lamentable” behavior of the employee towards a player.