St Albans City Striker Fined for Skipping FA Cup Match to Attend El Clasico

Poor John Frendo—all he wanted to do was watch El Clasico like other millions of people do! 

Problem being, Frendo is also a proper footballer and his club's fixture list clashed with the match between Real Madrid and Barcelona. 

St Albans City, Frendo's club, had an FA Cup match against Concord Rangers, an eventual 1-0 defeat. 

The striker opted instead to go watch Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and company rather than take the pitch in the FA Cup. 

Fans and the club were not happy with his disappearing act, and the latter fined him the maximum amount. 

Frendo admitted to his sins and apologised for it on the club's official website (h/t Who Ate All The Pies). 

"

I recognise that the FA Cup is important to a club at our level, I regret missing the match on Saturday, the extent of the reaction surprised me. 

The club has imposed a maximum fine upon me which I have accepted and I am now hoping to be able to make a positive contribution to our forthcoming league, Senior Cup and FA Trophy fixtures.

I would like to add that I am enjoying my time at Clarence Park. St. Albans City is a great football club with super supporters.

I am looking forward to training this week and to pulling on the yellow and blue shirt once again. 

Once again I would like to say sorry to everybody who has a passion for the club, I hope for your support going forward.

"

In the aftermath, a series of photoshopped images made the rounds in support of Frendo. 

"

Come on @stalbanscityfc forgive @FrendoJohn his the main man #forgivefrendo pic.twitter.com/3Mp6wYJmrA

— Scott Neilson (@Scotty_neils) October 29, 2014"

[Who Ate All The Pies]