Racing Santander Fined 301 Euros for Lighter Incident During Match
Racing Santander have been hit with a fine after a supporter threw a lighter from the stands during last Sunday’s clash with Real Madrid, an incident that added another layer of controversy to an already heated afternoon.
The Spanish Football Federation’s disciplinary committee confirmed a 301-euro sanction for Racing, categorising the episode as “a minor breach of order during the match.” It is the minimum punishment within the medium tier of penalties allowed in such cases, but it lands at a time when the club already feels aggrieved by events on the pitch.
Incident Details
The storm began with the penalty awarded to Kylian Mbappé, a decision the referees’ technical committee has since admitted was incorrect. That call came after an earlier flashpoint: referee José Luis Munuera Montero had gone to the pitchside monitor to review a possible handball by Tchouaméni inside the Racing area, only to wave away those appeals and let play continue.
Tension inside the ground rose. Then came the lighter.
Munuera Montero detailed the incident in his official report: “In the 78th minute, the first phase of the object-throwing protocol was activated, due to a lighter being thrown from the stands, which landed close to the second assistant referee without striking him.” The protocol triggered a warning over the stadium loudspeakers, a formal reminder that the next step could be far more serious for the home club.
From there, the case moved into the hands of the disciplinary committee, which leaned on Article 117 of the federation’s regulations. That article covers “a minor breach of order during the match” and stipulates that when events falling under Article 15 are classified as minor offences, the responsible club faces a financial penalty of up to 602 euros.
Racing’s fine was set exactly at half that ceiling: 301 euros. A small number on the balance sheet, perhaps, but one more entry in a match report that will not be forgotten quickly in Santander.
