Fifa have denied claims a performing bear used ahead of a Russian league game will be part of the opening ceremony of the 2018 World Cup.
Footage showed the circus bear, named ‘Tima’, perform ahead of a third-tier game between Mashuk-KMV and Angusht. The bear was seen handing the match ball to the referee prior to kick-off.
The away side, Angusht, claimed in a post on social media that the bear was to be used as part of the opening ceremony in Russia this summer.
However, Fifa have confirmed to Standard Sport that no animals will be used as part of the ceremonies at the tournament, which begins on June 14 at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
Animal Defenders International branded it as a ‘sickening’ display.
"The sight of this poor bear, forced to perform tricks for the crowd, should shame us all,” ADI President Jan Creamer said.
“An incredible, intelligent and inquisitive wild animal reduced to a figure of fun. All that we learn from using animals in entertainment are the reasons why it must stop.
“Avoid these sickening shows and support the efforts of ADI and others to stop circus suffering.”
Furthermore, director of animal welfare charity Peta, Elisa Allen, labelled the act ‘inhumane’.
In a statement Allen said: "In addition to being inhumane and utterly out of touch, using a bear as a captive servant to deliver a football is downright dangerous.
"The bear is the symbol of Russia, so we hope the country's people will show some compassion and national pride and stop abusing them. Common decency should compel the league to pull this stunt."
