Mascot stages protest to support feathered rival

Soccer clubs have enough trouble keeping their players in line. Now they must contend with disruptive mascots.

An English league match was briefly delayed Monday by a mascot staging a sit-down protest in support of a feathered rival, Sky Sports reported.

Preston's Deepdale Duck caused a flap on Saturday by reportedly trying to distract Derby goalkeeper Stephen Bywater during a League Championship match, which led to him being escorted from the side of the field.

But Captain Blade, Sheffield United's pirate mascot, wasn't prepared to see his rival forced to walk the plank by the second-tier club.

In an act of solidarity, the pirate was shown on television sitting on the field during halftime of Monday's match against Doncaster holding a sign reading "Free the Preston one."

Sky said the start of the second half was held up as Captain Blade left the center circle.