Villa fined for revealing message on return
Reuters - Wednesday 22 August 2012, 17:55
Barcelona striker David Villa was
fined on Wednesday for taking off his shirt to reveal a vest
with a message dedicated to his family after he scored on his
long-awaited return from injury last weekend.
The Spanish football federation classes the removal of a
shirt to display any form of publicity, slogan or picture as a
serious offence punishable with a fine of between 2,000 euros and 3,000 euros.
Spain's all-time top scorer came on as a late substitute
when Barca beat Real Sociedad 5-1 in their La Liga opener on
Sunday and netted near the end after an eight-month layoff with
a broken leg.
The 30-year-old ripped off his shirt in the celebration to
reveal a photo of his wife and two daughters underneath the
slogan "Impossible without you," and was shown a yellow card by
the referee.
Villa broke his leg at the Club World Cup last December,
missing the national team's Euro 2012 triumph as he continued
his recovery. His return on Sunday in the 74th minute received a
huge Nou Camp ovation.