Lionel Messi and FC Barcelona have been sanctioned a combined £706 fine by the Spanish Soccer Federation after the Argentine was booked for lifting his shirt in tribute to deceased compatriot and former Barcelona player Diego Maradona following his goal in the club’s 4-0 defeat of Osasuna on Sunday.
Messi was fined £543 for taking off his Barcelona jersey to reveal Maradona’s Newell’s Old Boys shirt, while his club were fined £162 for parts played in the gesture.
The Federation’s competition committee showed little sympathy while strictly upholding the rules, rejecting Barcelona’s suggestion that the punishment should be waived as the gesture was a tribute to Maradona.
A statement by the committee went on to reveal that it actually accepted the gesture was a tribute, but article 93 of the disciplinary code states that players are liable to punishment, irrespective of the motive whenever they remove their shirt to celebrate a goal.
The statement further revealed that Messi could only have escaped sanctioning if the yellow card was issued in error.
Barcelona, who are hoping to keep hold of Messi beyond the expiration of his contract in the summer, will hope that his frustration in Spain does not grow even worse after his recent utterances about having to face Spanish tax authorities amid a growing football-based crisis at the Spanish giants.
I think the fact that Maradona is a Legend should make the rule bend
Rules are rules.. they can’t be broken.. not even for late maradona..