Messi fined for wishing his mom 'happy birthday'

26 January 2011 - 10:33
By Reuters

EISH! Have they no heart?!

Lionel Messi has been fined for lifting his shirt to reveal a vest wishing his mother a happy birthday.

The world player of the year ran over to a television camera to reveal the words "Happy birthday, mami" on an undershirt after scoring a penalty in Barcelona's 3-0 home win over Racing Santander on Saturday.

The referee did not book the Argentine forward for the celebration but mentioned the action in his match report.

The Spanish football federation's disciplinary committee punished Messi under their article 91.1 for goal celebrations, which carries a fine of between 2000 and 3000 euros, and awarded him a yellow card.