Serbian president ordered to pay fine over World Cup champagne

BELGRADE - A Belgrade court ordered Serbian President Boris Tadic to pay a fine of 40,000 dinars ($617) for drinking champagne at a stadium after Serbia qualified for the World Cup in October, local media reported Thursday.

Tadic, along with the sports minister and a Belgrade city hall official, appeared last week in court where they faced misdemeanour charges for drinking alcohol at a sports stadium.

According to Serbian so-called anti-hooligan law, aimed at suppressing violence at sports events, the sale or consumption of alcohol at sports stadiums during and after a match is illegal.

Tadic told a judge that he was not aware that drinking alcohol, even for the purpose of a toast, was illegal.

Belgrade media reported Tuesday that the court ordered Tadic and other defendants to pay a fine. Tadic has eight days to appeal.

Tadic and his party were seen toasting after Serbia beat Romania in a qualification match Oct 16.