Serbian President fined for World Cup celebration

Serbian President Boris Tadic has been fined €400 for toasting Serbia’s football team with champagne after it qualified for the World Cup.

Judge Zoran Pasalic said today that Mr Tadic, his sports minister and another Belgrade official were found guilty of drinking alcohol at a sports venue after Serbia’s 5-0 victory over Romania in October.

Drinking alcohol in and around sports stadiums is illegal in Serbia and attracts fines of €100 to €1,000.

The president told a judge during his appearance in court earlier this month that he was not aware that alcohol consumption, “even for the purpose of a toast”, was forbidden.

Photos of Mr Tadic and the other officials toasting the team were published by Belgrade media.