News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

This article was first published 19 years ago
Home  » Sports » Eto'o fined for Real Madrid insults

Eto'o fined for Real Madrid insults

May 25, 2005 11:12 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o has been fined 12,000 euros ($15,120) by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) for insulting his former club Real Madrid during his team's title celebrations on May 15.

The 24-year-old Cameroon international chanted "Madrid, cabron, saluda al campeon" (Madrid, bastards, hail the champions) into the microphone during a speech at the Nou Camp.

Many of the 100,000 fans at the stadium to celebrate the club's first league title in six years joined in the chorus.

The Federation's Competition's Committee adjudged that the African Player of the Year's comments were "very serious" in nature and that the language he used could be seen "as an incitement to violence."

They added that his comments were more damaging because of the degree of rivalry that exists between the two clubs.

The Committee said the fine could have been even heavier, but they took into account that the player had apologised.

The fine is one of the largest given by the Federation this season, although the player has 10 days to appeal.

Eto'o held a news conference the day after the celebrations to apologise, saying he he regretted what he said about his former club.

"I never wanted to show any lack of respect to anyone.

"What happened was that in a moment of joy I started to sing and that was all. I beg forgiveness and hope that people will understand me."

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

Paris Olympics 2024

India's Tour Of Australia 2024-25