Referee Lee Probert, who red-carded Preston North End's American midfielder Eddie Lewis for fouls during Preston's 2-1 win over Queens Park Saturday, also sent QPR mascot Jude the Cat to the stands for dissent.
The ejection of Jude the Cat, who had protested an offside call, prompted QPR coach Ian Holloway to say, ''The ref is from my neck of the woods and down there people say 'there's one in every village.'''
Jude, as one would expect from a cat, showed little contrition:
''I'm very upset,'' he told the BBC. ''Nothing like this has ever happened before. How can I be mistaken for a player? I'm a 7-foot black cat! We're waiting to hear from the FA. I might be banned from the touchline or have to change my kit.
''And if that's not bad enough, I've been told my smoked salmon and cream might be taken away.''
If suspended, Jude said that Wolverhampton mascot Wolfie has promised to launch a mascot boycott.
Jude has been QPR's mascot since 1999, when he replaced Ernie, a cartoon man with a soccer ball head.