A footballer was sent off for killing a chicken ‘accidentally’ while swinging his boot.

Croatian amateur player Ivan Gazdek, playing for FK Zelengrad, said he was attempting to chase a group of birds away.

He then killed one before being sent off, with the home side winning by a single goal. They went on to win their match 8-1.

He told news agency 24Sata: "Believe me, it wasn't intentional.

The player then threw the chicken back over the fence More

"The game was in a sensitive moment and I was nervous. Even in the dressing room, we had had a bit of a fight.

"Chickens are constantly entering the field, so the game has to be stopped. The grass is covered in poo, it's very unhygienic.

"I ran to the chickens a little to chase them away, I swung my foot and killed one by accident."

Gazdek then threw the animal over the fence amid a plethora of feathers, before apologising to the chicken’s owner with the gift of a new one.

He added: : "Immediately she removed the hen from the scene of the accident and said nothing.

"However, I was very sorry, so I sent her a letter and a new hen to apologise."

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