Messi, Barca fined 600 euros for tribute to Maradona

MADRID, Dec 03 (Reuters): Lionel Messi and Barcelona have been fined a combined 780 euros 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.

Yet the Spanish soccer federation's competition committee showed little sympathy when upholding the rules, rejecting Barca's protests against the punishment.

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.