Mestalla bottle thrower handed six month ban and hefty fine
The State Anti-Violence Commission has handed down the punishment to the individual responsible for throwing a plastic bottle on the field during Barcelona’s win over Valencia on 22 October.
The State Commission against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance in Sport has handed a fine of €3,001 and a sixth-month stadium ban to the individual responsible for throwing a plastic bottle on the field during Barcelona’s win over Valencia at the Mestalla on 22 October.
Bottlegate
The incident occurred when Barcelona players celebrated near Valencia fans following Lionel Messi's 95th minute match-winning penalty. The bottle launched by the individual struck the group of players, causing Neymar and Luis Suarez to fall to the ground.
Tebas refuses to apologise
While no one was seriously injured, the incident generated controversy in the days and weeks afterwards. Just this Thursday, La Liga president Javier Tebas refused to apolgise to the Catalan club after suggesting Neymar overreacted during the incident.
Madrid derby 'high-risk'
In separate news, the committee also declared the upcoming game between local rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid a ‘high-risk’ fixture.