Nicklas Bendtner fined 100,000 for sponsored underwear, stiffer than UEFAs racism fines

Denmark's Nicklas Bendtner has been punished harshly for revealing a pair of bookmaker-sponsored underpants after scoring his second goal against Portugal earlier in the week, with UEFA giving him a 100,000 fine and suspended for a World Cup qualifier after being found guilty of improper conduct.

From UEFA.com:

Following the opening of disciplinary proceedings concerning the improper conduct of Denmark's Nicklas Bendtner at the UEFA EURO 2012 Group B match against Portugal in Lviv on Wednesday 13 June, the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body has decided to suspend the player for one competitive fixture.

This suspension applies to the next 2014 FIFA World Cup match, including the qualifying competition, for which Bendtner is eligible. The player has also been fined 100,000. An appeal can be lodged against this decision within three days of the dispatch of the full written decision.

Bendtner claimed after the incident that he didn't know he was breaking UEFA's strict rules against un-approved sponsors, saying "It is just a pair of lucky boxer shorts that I used in the first game as well and have used before the tournament. I didn't know I was breaking any rules but I am aware of that now." But this is obviously false because any underpants that get you a 100,000 fine and one-match ban are clearly not at all lucky.

In addition to UEFA's punishment, Bendtner was also reprimanded by his country's federation and ordered not to wear the underpants for their final match against Germany.

With this fine, UEFA shows yet again just how important sponsor considerations are to them. After all, the Croatian fede! ration w as fined just 25,000 for fans throwing fireworks and missiles and invading the pitch during their match against Ireland. Russia was given a 120,000 fine for stadium violence that included vicious attacks on stewards after their match against the Czech Republic.

Meanwhile, all investigations into racist incidents at Euro 2012 conveniently remain unresolved. But in 2008, Croatiareceiveda piddly 12,000 fine for racist conduct during a Euro quarterfinal against Turkey.