Mike Riley, one of England’s most experienced referees, saw red when Kingsley the Lion, the home team’s mascot, got too close to the proceedings during Reading’s 1-0 victory over Newcastle United at the Madejski Stadium on Monday evening.

Apparently, one of Riley’s assistants – the one with the glasses – found Kingsley’s blue-and-white hooped shirt confusing and, on more than one occasion, almost flagged him for offside.

Riley felt forced to act and “dismissed” the King of the Jungle, which was accompanied by a roar of disapproval from the Reading fans. Kingsley, with tail between legs, had to spend the rest of the match behind one of the goals, where he was less conspicuous. Steve Coppell, the Reading manager, is to study video footage of the incident before deciding whether to take any disciplinary action. “I’m gutted,” Kingsley growled.

In future, perhaps the optically challenged assistant should bear in mind the following when attempting to distinguish between Reading’s players and the mascot: Stephen Hunt, the winger, has unkempt straggly hair, but as yet does not have a flowing mane. Marcus Hahnemann, the giant goalkeeper, might wear an XXL shirt, but Kingsley is definitely XXXXL. Reading have one of the best “fair play” records in the Barclays Premiership. Kingsley is an animal. Kingsley has four legs. At the last count, Reading’s players had only two each.