On 1 July 2012, the Finnish newspaper Karjalainen reported an incident involving Mekhissi-Benabbad at the 2012 European Championships in Helsinki. After winning the 3000 meter steeplechase final, Mekhissi-Benabbad walked over to the championship's mascot “Appy”, which was being worn by a 14-year-old girl, smacked a gift bag out of her hands and pushed her with both hands. He was not fined and did not apologize regarding the incident. That was not the first time that Mekhissi-Benabbad had abused a mascot. After having again won the 3000 meter steeplechase final at the 2010 European Championships in Barcelona, Mekhissi-Benabbad asked a mascot to kneel in front of him before he pushed it to the ground.