MADRID: 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 to football 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.” (Reuters)