AN OWL MASCOT died after being kicked by a striker during a match in Barnaquilla, Colombia.

A video, available to view below, shows the disturbing moment when Deportivo Pereira defender Luis Moreno kicked an owl that landed on the pitch during a match against league team Atletico Junior.

The owl was home team Atletico Junior’s mascot and it was said that when he flew onto the pitch, the team always won.

MyFoxBoston reports that the Panama defender is facing sanctions after kicking the injured owl.

The bird landed on the field with an apparent broken wing during a game on Sunday.  Play stopped and moments later Panamian striker Luis Moreno kicked the owl off the field. This provoked a furious reaction from the crowd.

Moreno is facing a possible one to three months in jail and a maximum fine of 50,000 pesos ($26), according to Radio Santa Fe.

The striker apologised to fans at a news conference Monday.

Veterinarians treating the bird said it died of respiratory arrest two days later, most likely brought on by the stress of being handled excessively following the incident.

Warning: This video of animal cruelty may upset  readers.