European football governing body UEFA has reportedly issued a warning to a football club based in Kazakhstan, which killed a sheep in a ritualistic slaughter last week.
According to New York Daily News, Champions League participant Shakhter Karagandy had killed a sheep before beating Scottish side Celtic 2-0 in the playoffs, with Shakhter coach Viktor Kumykov suggesting that the ritual could be repeated.
However, UEFA said that it has warned the Kazakh club that it could face disciplinary action if it continues the ritual slaughter of animals before matches, adding that animal slaughter was not acceptable in or around their competitions.
UEFA further stated that the club would face sanctions if such a thing happens again.
Shakhter, the lowest-ranked team remaining in the Champions League, is aiming to reach the 32-team group stage for the first time, the report added.
