The Danish striker has been fined for showing his boxer shorts during the match against Portugal.
Is UEFA respecting their sponsors a bit too much?


When Nicklas Bendtner scored against Portugal, he revealed his green boxer shorts sponsored by the Irish betting company Paddy Power. This is against UEFA's rules for sponsoring as only companies who has signed contract with the federation can advertise during the finals. Right after the match, UEFA revealed that Bendtner would be punished for this, and yesterday came the announcement. The striker is being fined with €100.000 and banned for one competitive fixture.



The betting company Paddy Power has earlier said that they will pay the fine, while the Danish FA (DBU) has advised Bendtner to appeal the decision. There is no doubt that it is fair to fine Big Ben. UEFA has made a set of rules and Bendtner has broken one of them and is, therefore, being punished. However, comparing the fine with other fines given during the EURO, it is clear that Bendtner is used to statue an example.



It is raising questions when the Dane is fined harder for advertising a company, than Ukraine and Russia are for more serious matters as crowd trouble and fireworks on the stands. The seriousness of UEFA is on trial after this, as future events will be measured against Bendtner's under wear. The federation is talking all about 'respect’ for the game and is trying to spread a message that racism is not an option in European football. But, If UEFA starts punishing players that advertise for non commercial partners harder than players guilty in racism they will make a fool of themselves.



The future will show if the authority that shall keep an eye on the European clubs and football nations, can live up to their responsibility. The UEFA is praising clubs for economical fair play, but at the moment, it seems that money also controls the federation and that the respect and focus is on the sponsors and not on the serious challenges in European football.