Five other times animals invaded the pitch as Hull vs Bristol City halted by rogue squirrel
Hull’s clash with Bristol City was interrupted by a squirrel on Saturday afternoon.
The Championship contest was 55 minutes in, with the visitors leading 3-1 when play was halted temporarily.
The incident has gone viral on social media, with supporters and neutrals taking great pleasure in the pitch invasion.
Here, Football Insider looks at other times when an animal invaded the pitch during a football match.
Liverpool vs Tottenham – Cat
The most entertaining moment in Liverpool‘s 0-0 draw with Tottenham in February 2012 was when a cat ran onto the pitch.
The grey and white cat wandered onto the turf at Anfield, before ultimately being caught and removed by a steward.
The moggy went viral, with a total of approximately 30,000 people following three accounts claiming to be the animal.
Blackburn Rovers vs Wigan – Chicken
Blackburn Rovers‘ clash with Wigan in May 2012 was disrupted by a chicken, although its arrival on the pitch was not natural.
A supporter released the animal, draped in a Rovers flag, five minutes into the game, and it was caught by Latics goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi.
It was a protest against owners Venky’s, due to their running of the club, and the chicken was symbolic due to their association to that industry.
Brazil vs Colombia – Grasshopper
Brazil’s World Cup quarter-final clash with Colombia in 2014 saw a grasshopper land on the arm of James Rodriguez.
The former Real Madrid and Everton star was celebrating scoring a penalty when the insect made its way onto him.
However, he did not notice, and the match was not interrupted at all.
Carlton Athletic vs Ilkley Town – Alpaca
A non-league game between Carlton Athletic and Ilkley Town was at a standstill for 20 minutes as an alpaca invaded the pitch.
The animal had escaped from a nearby farm, and interrupted proceedings after just five minutes had elapsed.
Ilkley Town secured a 2-0 victory after play was resumed.
Philadelphia Union vs New York City FC – Raccoon
Philadelphia Union and New York City FC’s clash in May 2024 saw a raccoon invade the field in a bizarre development.
The animal evaded capture while stadium staff tried to catch it with a bin, and halted play for five minutes in the MLS contest.
Eventually, it was caught, and NYCFC went on to win the game with a 2-1 scoreline.