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Kanoute fined for goal message

Image: Kanoute: Message of support

Frederic Kanoute has been sanctioned for displaying the word 'Palestine' on a T-shirt under his kit.

Sevilla striker sanctioned by Spanish football federation

Sevilla striker Frederic Kanoute has been sanctioned for displaying the word 'Palestine' on a T-shirt under his kit. The Mali international revealed the home-made design after finding the target during a 2-1 Spanish Cup victory over Deportivo La Coruna. The word was written in various languages and was meant as a message of support for those Palestinians in Gaza who continue to come under fire from an Israeli military offensive in the region. The Spanish football federation have not revealed the severity of the fine handed to Kanoute, but reports suggest it is somewhere in the region of 3,000 euros (£2,677). "It was something that I felt that I should do," said the forward, who is a practising Muslim. "Everyone should feel a bit responsible when there is such a big injustice. "I am 100 per cent responsible for what I did and I don't care about the sanction." Federation rules ban players from displaying any sort of publicity or slogan during matches. As a result, Kanoute has been penalised for revealing a message, not the political nature of his actions.