Mascots are usually endearing, and meant for light-hearted entertainment. However, Crystal Palace’s 1-1 draw at Watford in the Premier League had a sting in the tail as an argument blew up over the behaviour of the home team’s mascot, Harry the Hornet.
Palace forward Wilfried Zaha, booked for diving, reacted angrily after the final whistle when the mascot performed a mock dive at his feet and had to be restrained by staff.
“The mascot was out of order,” Palace manager Sam Allardyce told reporters, suggesting the incident should be investigated.
“The Premier League and FA can look at that and do what they want to do,” he said.
“That’s up to Watford to sort that out really. It could have made the wrong reaction as we know. The mascot is out of order, isn’t he? If someone is diving, they don’t get that angry. But I’m concerned about my team and the overall performance.”
Watford manager Walter Mazzarri saw the funny side.
“I think we should laugh together, football is nice for these things, it doesn’t have to be a drama,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}“I think we should laugh together, football is nice for these things, it doesn’t have to be a drama,” he said.
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