Fines in international soccer is absurd
Saturday, May 6th, 2006A supporter managed to sneak by security at Villarreal’s home ground El Madrigal when Villareal was playing Arsenal in the Champions League semi finale. This supporter ran straight to Henry and threw a Barcelona jersey with Henry’s name on at the French striker. The media has already been writing a lot about a possible transfer to Barcelona for Henry. Of course everyone understood that he shouldn’t have done this and that he would get some fines for doing this.
But when we look at the level of the fine for doing this I have to wonder what is going on in the world. Spain’s anti violence commission has given him a €60.100 fine, for doing something that many people would call an “innocent� prank. The level of the fine gets kind of absurd when we look at two other fines they gave out at the same time. Sevilla (€15.000) and Barcelona (€5.000) got fines for lack of security and that people managed to use fireworks at the stands. Giving the club Barcelona €5.000 in fines can’t be called punishment at all. This is pocket fluff for one of the world’s biggest clubs, while €60.100 for a supporter could mean that he may need to sell his home to pay the fine. I would prefer to get a Barcelona jersey with my name on thrown at me any day instead of firework exploding over my head, but that’s my opinion.