Villarreal let off with €12k fine

Villarreal have been fined but have escaped a stadium ban as punishment for the banana-throwing incident involving Dani Alves.

The Barcelona wing-back sparked a social media campaign against racism last month as scores of his fellow professionals showed their backing for his decision to eat a banana thrown at him by an opposition fan at Villarreal’s El Madrigal stadium.

A 26-year-old man was arrested and accused of racially insulting the Brazil international, and could face up to three years in prison if found guilty. He has also been banned by Villarreal from attending home matches for life.