December 4 – Valencia have promised to ban for life the fan who threw a plastic bottle that struck Lionel Messi on the head – if the club can ever discover who the culprit was.
Messi was celebrating Barcelona’s stoppage-time winner near the corner flag last weekend when the object was thrown from the stands.
The Argentine superstar was examined by a member of Barca’s medical staff after the final whistle and did not appear to be hurt, giving the thumbs-up as he walked off the pitch.
“Valencia regret and condemn the isolated incident in the game against Barcelona in which a smmall, uncapped bottle of water was thrown from the stands at opposition player Lionel Messi,” Valencia said on their website.
“The club will endeavour to locate the person who threw the bottle and they will be banned for life from the Mestalla (stadium). Valencia operate a zero tolerance policy on such actions and rigorously enforce all security measures.”
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