Zurich defender Loris Benito closes in on the pine marten Swiss footballer Loris Benito has been bitten by a pine marten during a league match. The defender chased and managed to capture the animal during the Swiss Super League match between FC Thun FC Zurich on Sunday.
However, the pine marten escaped from Benito's grasp after biting him on the finger.
The creature was eventually caught by goalkeeper David Da Costa who handed it to stewards.
Speaking to Swiss television at half-time, Benito said he regretted the incident. "In hindsight, I was probably a little foolish. You don't know what sort of disease it might be carrying. It was painful."
Pine martens belong to the Mustelidae family which also includes the weasel, mink, badger and otter.