Cologne’s famous goat mascot is BANNED from stadium for first time in 12 years due to Bundesliga new hygiene rules

COLOGNE'S famous goat mascot will be BANNED from their stadium for first time in 12 years due to new Bundesliga hygiene rules.

The German side have had the animal, called Hennes, at every home game since 1950 - and last missed a match in 2008.

Hennes the ninth - in his first season as club mascot - has had eight predecessors since the club introduced goat mascots 70 years ago.

But owing to new hygiene rules implemented by German Football League (DFL) chiefs, the goat will be forced to stay away.

He will now be kept at Kolner Zoo until Bundesliga restrictions are lifted.

In fact, ALL mascots across German football will be barred from entering stadiums for the foreseeable future.

The DFL claim "personal hygiene measures are the most important actions for protecting against infection".

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That means Eintracht Frankfurt's mascot - Attila the eagle - will also be banned from making his game-day appearance.

The incredible bird traditionally swoops around their stadium ahead of games, whipping the crowd into a frenzy.

Bundesliga matches get back underway this Saturday, with Cologne - nicknamed the Billy Goats and whose club crest also includes a goat - hosting Mainz on Sunday at the RheinEnergieStadion.

The club have had a goat mascot ever since 1950, when they were gifted one by the circus.

It picked up its name, Hennes, after staff decided to name it after then-coach Hennes Weisweller.

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