Pigeon stops play - unflappable Gimenez removes intruder

It was unclear which team - if either - the pigeon might have supported A pigeon briefly stopped play during Atletico Madrid's 3-2 win over Real Sociedad with unflappable defender Jose Gimenez plucking the bird off the pitch and taking it to safety. The stoppage came in the 22nd minute with the Uruguayan removing the injured bird from the pitch after it had apparently been hit by the ball. Speaking about the incident, Spanish media reported Gimenez as saying: "I asked the referee what was happening. He told me it was because of the pigeon and I said: 'Seriously? You stopped the match because of the pigeon?' "I picked it up. I don't know if there's supposed to be a protocol. I hope it wasn't seriously hurt." It was Gimenez's second assist of the match after setting up Atletico's opener, flicking on a long throw for Alexander Sorloth to score in the fifth minute. Carlos Soler then responded for the visitors four minutes later. Nicolas Gonzalez then scored twice either side of a Mikel Oyarzabal strike as Diego Simeone's side strengthened their hold on third place in the league. Jose Gimenez picks the pigeon up... ...and carries it off the pitch before setting it down Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Does Rome defeat mark beginning of end of Borthwick empire? Marmoush scores two as Man City knock out Newcastle VAR brings cruel dose of reality to Wrexham Jessie Buckley on The Bride! and Oscar nominated Hamnet The Nations Pod Guide puts Rome in the centre The Mitford sisters refuse to play by the rules The highlights of Piano Room Month 2026 with Vernon Kay 'I saw a drone hit the US consulate' - Patten's escape from Dubai Who is to blame for Spurs' chaotic descent towards relegation? Winter Paralympics daily guide: 10 golds on offer on Sunday 'Howard Webb, where are you?' - How we can stop VAR ruining football India reach T20 World Cup final as England fall short. Video India reach T20 World Cup final as England fall short Norris, Verstappen, Russell - and will it be any good? Key F1 storylines New era of Formula 1 - what is changing in 2026? 'There were tears - but I had to peek behind curtain of head injuries in rugby' Iran, the US, and a World Cup that starts in three months Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.