Bangladeshi fans fined for gathering to celebrate Messi's birthday

A group of football fans in Bangladesh were fined for celebrating the birthday of Argentina star Leonel Messi, as they violated COVID-19 health guidelines, officials said on Thursday.

Messi turned 33 years old on Wednesday.

The 15 people were found gathered at a restaurant for the Barcelona forward's birthday in Chuadanga district, nearly 170 kilometers west of Dhaka.

"We found them sitting inside the restaurant, waiting for a birthday celebration of Messi," said Magistrate Feroz Hossain, who was leading a team of soldiers to ensure that people follow health guidelines.

The fans were ordered a fine of 100 takas (1.17 U.S. dollars) each for not following physical distancing rules in a lockdown area, Hossain said, adding that the restaurant owner was fined 6,000 takas (70.71 dollars) for keeping it open after sunset.

After lifting the nationwide shutdown on May 30, Bangladesh has now been imposing localized lockdowns to slow down the spread of the virus. Enditem