Samuel Eto’o has been fined €12,000 by the Real Federacion Española de Futbol (RFEF) for his celebration after Barça won La Liga in 2005. Eto’o chanted “Madrid cabron saluda al campeon” which is one of the favourite chants here from the fans when Barça win anything. Literally translated it means “Madrid, bastard, salute the champion” The RFEF considered Eto’o’s action to be ”very serious” and that it could “incite violence” but they took into account the fact that Eto’o had publicly apologied the following day.
While I admit that Eto’o’s celebration was not the most gracious in victory, I think the RFEF have made an unjust decision. Where is the consistency when Luis Aragones gets a €3,000 fine for his racist comments? Were Eto’o’s words four times worse than what Aragones said? And I don’t recall an apology from Aragones. I would have thought the RFEF could have seen Eto’o’s case as just exuberance and a desire to be at one with the fans, and decided his action was worthy of no more than a reprimand and a warning. But in their wisdom the RFEF have given Eto’o this fine with the reasoning that “celebrating a title increases the eventual repercussions that could provide a seed of future violence”. Dickheads!
9 responses so far ↓
Nitin // Feb 16, 2008 at 19:40
Nic, Mate, I dont agree with you there buddy, that was pretty pathetic by any standards, pretty darn sad. I am surprised they didnt put a 2 game ban or something in. Without considering what club, that is a bad thing to say. I am pretty sure if some Madrid player had said something like that, we would be burning Madrid effigies by now.
I say Samuel deserved it, he bloody did!!!!
Barca Fan // Feb 16, 2008 at 21:07
hahahaha Eto’o is the best…
Joe // Feb 16, 2008 at 22:55
After a year and a half they toke notice WOW Madrid really thinks fast. Gee he deserved it yes but its externally late don’t you think.
Speeka // Feb 17, 2008 at 0:04
Deserved it my ass! It’s a football chant! And a pretty common one if your a Barca fan.
Ive seen Madrid players join in on mocking the cant del Barca, but you don’t see any of them in trouble.
I agree with Nic, this just further shows the inconsistency, by the Spanish Football Federation Jillipollas.
Merv // Feb 17, 2008 at 2:35
What I don’t understand is why they decided to do anything about it at this late date? Seems like it would have had more of an impact if the decision was made immediately after. A statement to everyone that racism will not be tolerated.
Good point about Aragones. I think his fine was very light considering the hoopla the media made about it (and rightly so). To this day you still hear references about it. I think that incident will have it’s place in football history.
I don’t condone racism in any form yet it still exists. I think the system of metting out punishment needs to be looked into. I certainly would like to know how they come up with their figures for the fines.
In Eto’os case I think perhaps he was caught up in the rush of celebration. Having endured racial abuse himself, I can’t think that he would want to put others in that situation. Not that I’m excusing his actions but people can have bad judgement when the adrenaline is pumping.
I really felt for Eto’o in this video….
http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/racism%2Bsocc/video/xfpzc_football-european-racism_news
I read in the latest post that the fans in Zaragoza were booing Abidal and Toure. Do they still do that to all the players of color? I am just curious. I was hoping the atmospheres were changing for the better.
Nic // Feb 17, 2008 at 3:01
I originally wanted to attribute the booing against Toure as being down to the injury that Toure caused on Zaragoza’s player Matuzalem in the game between the clubs in September. But the venom seemed to be too much for such circumstances. I did think there could have been some racist motives behind some of it.
pep // Feb 17, 2008 at 13:17
It was worth every cent…
Merv // Feb 18, 2008 at 3:50
Sorry to hear that Nic. I really am.
As a football fan I am devoted to my team. It’s upsetting when we are doing poorly but I’ve never bashed an opposing team or player because they showed themselves better on the pitch during the game.
It’s hard to fathom such hatred for a player just because of their color. And I say this as an American from the south. People here have a notorious history of racism. However, such outbursts at a sporting event is just not common. It just isn’t tolerated. Or perhaps I just lead a sheltered life.
Anyway, I feel for all the players that have to endure such abuse, especially when they are trying to concentrate on the game and entertain the people abusing them. Just my two cents.
BARCA 4 LYF // Mar 31, 2008 at 21:21
Eto’o u the best! The RFEF or wateva they are called are racist they hate blacks that’s why they gave Eto’o a higher fine compared to Aragones fine! I mean he called Henry “Black SHIT!” I mean that’s way worse than Eto’o’s chant! Madrid or Los SHITmerengues deserve it! Fukin shitbags! Barca 4 lyf! Look I’m not black but I’m saying this because I ain’t racist and I’m explaining that’s the reason they fined Eto’o more!
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