Hull City’s furry mascot refuses to visit stand after fan’s ‘inappropriate’ grab
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Hull City’s furry tiger mascot Amber is refusing to visit a home supporters' stand – after a lewd fan forced them into an 'inappropriate' photo.
The Tigers fan grabbed the mascot round their costumed head before pushing it down to his crotch. The worrying incident is now being probed by the Yorkshire club and cops – as 'Amber' and her fellow mascot take a stand.
Amber and Roary are the Championship side’s two tiger mascots, tying in with the club’s crest, kit and Tigers nickname. Their roles, like any other football mascots, involve them roaming around the stadium and interacting with younger supporters on matchdays.
However, it was revealed at the end of last season that the big cat siblings will no longer go over to one section of the ground during home games after a serious incident which saw one of them “grabbed inappropriately” by a fan.
The distressing incident was addressed during Hull City’s adult supporters’ committee meeting on April 26, 2023.
Notes show the club’s North Stand representative Colleen Ward saying: “Club mascots Roary and Amber won’t go over to fans in the North Stand.”
Fan Engagement Manager Natasha Chapman then responded: “They are reluctant following a serious incident where one of them was grabbed inappropriately by a fan.”
The news was met with a stunned response by Hull fans on Twitter, with one user calling the alleged actions of the fan in question “absolutely disgraceful behaviour.”
Another wrote: “They need banning that’s disgraceful,” while a third added: “This is wrong so baddd.”
A picture circulating on social media shows a man, allegedly a Hull City supporter, grabbing Amber the mascot’s head and holding it against his lower body.
The picture in question shows the man laughing.
A Hull City statement said: “The club is investigating the incident and working with the police. We take such matters with the utmost seriousness and do not tolerate anti-social behaviour of any kind.
"The club is committed to ensuring the MKM Stadium is a friendly, safe and welcoming environment for staff and fans alike and will be taking the appropriate action against the individual responsible.”
Humberside Police said: "We have been made aware of an image circulating on social media and we will be carrying out enquiries to assess if any offences have been committed."
It comes after a 14th-placed finish for Hull in the 2022/23 season. The Tigers won 14 games, drew 16 and lost 16 in their second season back in the Championship since clinching promotion from League One in 2021.
- Hull City FC
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