The Bryne player Axel Kryger temporarily received a lamb as a reward for his good performance in the match against Haugesund in the Norwegian top division. The lamb was supposed to be a symbol for the meat that was the actual prize, as Bryne had become known for distributing local specialties. Earlier, eggs had also been distributed to the best player of the match.
The lamb is now back on the farm, but the animal welfare organization Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge is still critical of the event.
I think this is just completely idiotic. I'm very surprised that adults treat animals in this way, says chairman Åshild Roaldset to NRK.
She thinks it's animal abuse to bring the animal to the football stadium. Dyrebeskyttelsen informs that they will notify the authority Mattilsynet, Norway's equivalent to Sweden's Livsmedelsverket, about the event.
Kryger states that he has been assured that the lamb is now doing well on the farm.
"Considering Dyrebeskyttelsen's reaction, I think everyone should be allowed to think what they want", he writes to the channel.
The club thinks it's important that the lamb is doing well.
I understand their perspective, but we didn't actually give away the lamb as a gift. The lamb got a trip down to the stadium... and was there as a symbol for the prize the player received, says Bjørn Hagerup Røken, marketing manager for Bryne FK.
