By Chris Wright
Conference South side St Albans City have hit striker John Frendo with their maximum fine after the 29-year-old dipped out of an FA Cup game at the weekend in order to attend the El Clasico game between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
According to the Herts Advertiser, Frendo flew out to watch Real Madrid beat Barcelona 3-1 in the Bernabeu while his St Albans teammates were busy slogging their way to a 1-0 cup defeat against Concord Rangers.
A victory would have seen The Saints enter the draw for the first round proper, with Concord duly snagging themselves a plum tie against League Two’s Mansfield Town – a fixture that is likely to earn the club around £12,000.
Unsurprisingly, Frendo going AWOL caused uproar among the St Albans fans, many of whom demanded that the striker be disciplined and/or released.
However, a few ragamuffins took pity on Frendo and began circulating phony images of superstars from both sides of the Clasico divide appearing to show their support for the besieged forward…
For his sins, Frendo has since issued a full and frank apology – also confirming that he has been reprimanded and punished by the club for his truancy.
“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,” Frendo said via St Albans City website.
“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 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.”
A club spokesman added: “We wish to draw a line under this matter and no further comment is intended.”
Nawty nawty, veeeeeeeeeery nawty!