Murder on the pitch: Gaston Aguirre becomes the “pigeon killer”

“I kicked the ball and, poor pigeon. Now I will be remembered as the pigeon killer.” - San Lorenzo’s 27-year-old defender, Gaston Aguirre.

Surrounded by opponents, Aguirre was aiming for the goal when he struck the ball in the direction of a group of pigeons on the grass near the corner. A burst of feathers followed and the pigeons flew away - except one. Several players surrounded the wounded bird as it tried to fly away but it collapsed. Referee Saul Laverni then scooped up the dead pigeon and placed it off the field.

See how the incident unfolded during the match with Tigre in the Apertura playoffs here.

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Gaston Aguirre is not however the first player to hit a bird during a football match.

Back in September 2008, a match between Uzbekistan and Australia was held up when a bird made it’s way onto the pitch at kick-off. Strangely, after a momentary pause, the referee decided he no longer minded that the bird was on the field of play, and allowed the match to start.

See what happened next here.