Lionel Messi fined for Diego Maradona tribute

BARCELONA: Lionel Messi and Barcelona have been fined a combined 780 euros (706.30 pounds) after the player was shown a yellow card for lifting his shirt to pay tribute to the late Diego Maradona following his goal in Sunday's 4-0 win over Osasuna.

Messi, who was fined 600 euros while his club were fined 180, paid homage to his late compatriot by taking off his Barca shirt to reveal a Newell's Old Boys shirt belonging to Maradona, a gesture that was praised around the world.

Yet the Spanish soccer federation's competition committee showed little sympathy when upholding the rules, rejecting Barca's protests against the punishment and their suggestion it should be waived as the gesture was a tribute to Maradona.

The committee's statement said that while it accepted the gesture was a tribute, article 93 of the disciplinary code states that a player should be punished for removing their shirt when celebrating, irrespective of the motive.

The statement added that Messi could only have had the sanction waived if he had been given the booking in error.

Messi supports Newell's Old Boys and played for the club's junior team before leaving for Barca aged 13. Agencies

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