Referee M.A. Riley ejected Reading’s mascot, Kingsley the Giant Lion, minutes before halftime of the Royals’ game against Newcastle United on Monday. Kingsley, who wears a Reading jersey over his fur, roared the team on from the sideline, which apparently confused Riley. “I can see where the referee was getting confused, you know he does look like so many of my players,” joked Reading coach Steve Coppell, whose team managed a 1-0 despite lacking their lion. Mascot expulsions in Britain are not without precedent.