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LEO DUMPED?

England mascot Leo the Lion pictured being put in the back of a van after Roy Hodgson’s side crash out of the Euros

Fear not, Leo was spotted in the (not so) safe hands of England goalkeeper Joe Hart on Tuesday morning

HE was one of the enduring features of England's spectacularly bad Euro 2016 campaign and much like failed manager Roy Hodgson, it seemed team mascot Leo the Lion had been put out to pasture.

But Leo suffered a fate worse than that - being carried by Joe Hart. We're surprised the goalkeeper didn't drop him.

Slovakia v England - Group B: UEFA Euro 2016
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Has England mascot Leo the Lion been put out to pasture?Credit: Getty Images
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Leo is seen in the not so safe  hands of goalkeeper Joe Hart on Tuesday morning
England - UEFA Euro 2016 - Media Activity - June 18th
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Leo followed the team everywhereCredit: PA:Press Association
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He was a fixture during training sessions and at the team hotelCredit: AP:Associated Press
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Leo during Engand's first training session in FranceCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

The stuffed toy, who followed England players everywhere and even had his own security pass, has now been pictured being hastily stuffed in the back of a van after the humiliating 2-1 defeat to Iceland.

We fear for his future.

Nearly every member of the squad took a turn in carrying Leo around.

He was present in the team hotel, during training sessions and even in the dressing room before matches.

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John Stones carries LeoCredit: DPA
England midfielder Jack Wilshere, carryi
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Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has a turnCredit: Getty Images
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Error-prone goalkeeper Joe Hart with Leo on his backCredit: AP:Associated Press

But like Roy Hodgson, he failed to inspire the players to beat minnows Iceland, a country with a population the size of Leicester.

England crashed out of Euro 2016 on Monday night after the most embarrassing defeat in tournament history.

Wayne Rooney had put England into the lead with an early penalty but Iceland struck back almost immediately - predictably from a long throw.

Moments after Joe Hart committed his second major error of the tournament to allow Kolbeinn Sigthorsson to put Iceland in the lead.

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England players sulk off the pitch after the humiliating defeat to IcelandCredit: Reuters
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Roy Hodgson was spotted laughing as he left the Nice hotelCredit: PA:Press Association

Although they huffed and puffed, England never really created a decent chance to equalise.

Roy Hodgson, in his pre-prepared statement, immediately quit his post.

More misery for English fans.

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