The Singapore government has pulled a series of coronavirus-fighting mascots from its official website after Liverpool fans launched a petition against one of them.
The Mascot, MAWA Man, was described as a “fanatical Manchester United fan who grew up in the 1980s when Liverpool kept winning titles” and had a liver bird (Liverpool’s mascot) crossed out on his chest.
His name MAWA – Must Always Walk Alone – was a play on Liverpool’s anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. The idea was for MAWA Man to encourage residents to follow social distancing rules – as he did by using telekinetic powers gained from his hatred of Liverpool – but the concept quickly backfired.
A petition was launched by Liverpool fans calling for the character’s removal and quickly gained more than 850 signatures. “’You’ll Never Walk Alone’ is a song that was collectively used by most European radio stations as a show of solidarity amidst the Covid-19 lockdowns,” said the change.org petition.
