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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Guardian sport and agencies

Duck off: World Cup hero Merlín barred from Mexico game due to Fifa’s animal ban

Fifa Mexico World Cup El Tri Czechia
Merlín has taken Mexico – and the World Cup – by storm
Merlín has taken Mexico – and the World Cup – by storm. Photograph: Mario Guzman/EPA

Merlín the duck’s bid to see his beloved Mexico live has hit a snag after he was barred from El Tri’s match with Czechia on Wednesday.

Merlín has become a folk hero in Mexico after becoming a symbol of El Tri’s World Cup campaign on home soil. His fans had launched a campaign for Merlín to attend Wednesday’s match alongside his human family. But his journey was cut short by Fifa regulations.

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