Villarreal fined over banana incident

Spanish football team Villarreal have been fined €12,000 after FC Barcelona player Dani Alves was subjected to racism by Villarreal fans when the teams played at El Madrigal on April 27.

A Villarreal fan threw a banana at the 30-year-old Brazilian player during the La Liga match, causing international outrage and claims that racism is endemic in Spanish football.

Alves nonchalantly picked up the banana and took a bite before setting up a goal to help his team seal a 3-2 victory.

After the clash the player said: “I have been in Spain 11 years and it has been the same for 11 years. You have to laugh at these morons.”

Spanish football authorities have fined league side Villarreal for the incident. Reportedly, the federation took into account “the praiseworthy and firm decision by the club to deny entry” to the stadium for life to the fan who threw the banana.

Just a week after the Alves incident, Levante player Pape Diop, 28, was targeted as his team beat La Liga leaders Atlético Madrid.  

The incident marred the Senegalese player and his team’s 2-0 victory.