Barcelona star, Lionel Messi got football fans emotional yesterday after he paid tribute to football legend, Diego Maradona during Barça’s 4-0 win against Osasuna.
Messi’s venomous strike from the edge of the box rose into the top right corner, and after celebrating with his teammates, he removed his Barcelona jersey to unveil a Newell’s Old Boy shirt – with the iconic number ten printed on his back – before pointing his arms towards the heavens.
That was very emotional, but unfortunately, it seems that Barcelona will be punished for Messi’s decision to pay his respects in this way.
Indeed, according to a report from Spanish media outlet Sport, the La Liga giants could be set to receive a fine of €3000 in accordance with article 91 of the RFEF Disciplinary Code.
FIFA rules prohibit celebrations in which shirts are removed across all official competitions and, though some may feel the regulations could have been overlooked in this instance, it seems there are absolutely no exceptions to the rule.
Regardless of the disciplinary outcome, those pictures of him pointing to the heavens will be immortalised in Argentina.