Footballers were not always accompanied by children, until the 1999 FA cup final, between Manchester United, and Newcastle FC, and even in that game only 2 children, one for each team. It was until a year later that a full squadron of children escorted players.
So now why do children accompany players to the pitch?
This is to remind them that, the children are looking up to them, and monitoring their every move, so they should not disappoint. It also means promotion of children’s right campaigns. Or it can also mean that they are bringing the element of innocence to the game, fulfilling children games, and making profit of it. Sometimes it is also for charity purposes.
The children also want to meet their favourite footballers that bad that escorting them to the pitch would really make them happy. The children are normally between 6 – 18 years, no child with a disability is left out at all. They have another duties like, assisting referees and lines men, acting about sideline ball crew, and many other, important and fascinating duties.
Now that the coronavirus pandemic is here, no mascots and children not are allowed to hold hands of the players, because the virus can spread through handshakes, and even there are no handshakes between players, and referees and players of the other team. We all hope and pray that this virus will disappear, and we can return to our normal lives.