Valencia fined for fans throwing bottles at 'blameworthy' Barcelona players
Wednesday 26 October 2016 16:43, UK
Valencia have been fined for a bottle-throwing incident during Sunday's 3-2 loss against Barcelona, but Luis Enrique's players have been labelled "blameworthy".
The game at the Mestalla was overshadowed by the incident which saw several objects thrown on to the pitch after Lionel Messi's late winner from the penalty spot.
A bottle appeared to hit Barcelona forward Neymar, who fell, with Luis Suarez also dropping to the ground after joining a group of team-mates to celebrate the goal.
The Spanish Football Federation's (RFEF) disciplinary committee have imposed a 1,500 euro fine on Valencia, as well as warning Los Che that a repeat incident could see them play future home games behind closed doors.
A statement issued by RFEF also accused some Barcelona players of being "blameworthy" and criticised their reaction to the incident.
Barcelona considers the comments made by the RFEF totally reprehensible and excessive
The statement, published on sefutbol.com, read: "Without justifying the action of a few troublemakers, it must be observed that certain gestures and actions by members of the Barcelona team upon celebrating their winning goal are blameworthy.
"It also must be noted that reaction of certain members of the aforementioned football club simulated injury without having the bottle actually impact on their person.
"None of these actions should take place at a sporting event which should always look to portray a harmonious dynamic between players and supporters."
Barcelona have responded angrily to the statement, saying: "Barcelona considers the comments made by the RFEF totally reprehensible and excessive...
"The committee fails to mention a hostile climate, and in some cases violent, which led to aggression towards Barcelona players, which can only be reacted to by expressing indignation at what they have had to put up with.
"Barcelona hope that after this resolution the committee will occupy themselves with analysing and judging the correctness of the way each team celebrate each and every one of their goals.
"The committee should have confined itself to analysing the facts and applying the existing rules, avoiding any kind of assessment, which as well as being unfair, is incompatible with the principles that should govern the actions of this organisation."
