Soccer-Mineiro apologise for mascot's behaviour towards female player

Atletico Mineiro has apologised for the "lamentable" behaviour of an employee who dresses up as the club's rooster mascot towards a member of the women's team during an event on Sunday. The players were being presented to the crowd when the mascot, known as "Mad Rooster", induced defender Vitoria Calhau to twirl around and then walked away rubbing his hands.

"Atletico regrets and repudiates the behavior of the employee who has been promptly removed," said the Belo Horizonte club in a statement after the incident was widely criticized. "We apologize to our player, the other players and the supporters for this lamentable act."

Atletico was also criticized last month when six players from the women's team worked as ball girls during a men's match. The club said it had offered the players the same opportunity as it gave to members of the under-20 team.