Tribute to Maradona, Messi and Barca fined €780

Lionel Messi has payed tribute to the late Diego Maradona by lifting his shirt and revealing a Newell’s Old Boys shirt belonging to Maradona. This gesture went viral through online and offline medias all over the world.

Messi did this following his goal in Sunday’s 4-0 win over Osasuna. Even though football fans all over the world rejoiced over this act, Messi and his club Barcelona must be thinking over it now.

Lionel Messi and Barcelona have been fined a combined €780 with regard to this incident. Messi was given a yellow card straight away and now he has to pay €600. Meanwhile, Barcelona were fined €180.

Barca protested against the punishment, they said that it should be waived as the gesture was a tribute to Maradona. But the Spanish soccer federation’s competition committee didn’t show any mercy.

A statement released by the committee said that the gesture of tribute can be accepted, but considering the article 93 of the disciplinary code states that a player should be punished for removing their shirt when celebrating, irrespective of the motive.

Newell’s Old Boys was Messi’s club, he had played for the club’s junior team before he joined Barca at the age of 13.