Rooster banned from Euro 2016

Since 1982 Clement of Antibes, whose real name is Clement Tomaszewski, has been a familiar face at international football tournaments after he started bringing a live bird to matches.

The Gallic rooster (French: le coq gaulois) is an unofficial national symbol of France. During the French Revolution, the rooster often appeared in art, symbolizing hope and faith, and well through the 1800s, the Gallic Rooster continued to appear on French coins.

According to Ouest France, Clement Tomaszewski became famous at the 1998 World Cup for “brandishing his rooster under the cameras of the world”. He has since become a firm favourite with the TV cameras. However for the EURO 2016 tournament, organisers at UEFA have written to Clement to warn him that Balthazar will not be permitted access to the stadiums during the games.

You will not be allowed into stadiums of Euro 2016 with your cock Balthazar. Also nice as it is, the presence of your cock would put you in an awkward position vis-à-vis the security teams.

"If he can not go, I do not go," warned Clement, who already has his ticket for the seven potential matches of the France team.

The French newspaper Nice Matin have instigated a petition on Balthazar's behalf, offering support for the French teams number one mascot.