<h3 style="text-align: justify"><strong>Spanish authorities Monday moved to fine FC Barcelona 66,000 euros ($67,000) and Athletic Bilbao 18,000 euros over last season's Cup final where fans of the Catalan and Basque sides whistled Spain's King Felipe VI.</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: justify">The state Higher Sports Council proposed the sanctions for <em>"behaviour whose aim was to transform the sporting event into a stage for political demands through intolerant acts".</em></p> . <p style="text-align: justify">These included<em> "whistling the national anthem and His Majesty the King"</em>, patron of the cup, the council said in a statement.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">It also proposed a 123,000-euro fine for the Royal Spanish Football Federation as organiser of the Copa del Rey final at <a href="http://www.thehardtackle.com/category/la-liga-2/barcelona/" target="_blank">Barcelona</a>'s Nou Camp ground on May 30, which Barca won 3-1.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Fans of both sides drowned out the Spanish national anthem with boos and whistles at the start of the match.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The controversy came at a time of high political sensitivities, with Catalan leaders campaigning for independence from Spain ahead of a key regional election expected in September.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The sports council's Antiviolence Commission set various administrative fines for the whistling and for alleged security shortcomings including the burning of flares.</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify"><strong>Athletic Bilbao also fined a 18,000</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: justify">Those targeted by the fines can appeal against them to the state authorities, who will hear their claims before making a final ruling.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The fine against Barcelona consisted of 6,000 euros for failing to take sufficient action beforehand against groups that called the protests, and 60,000 for security breaches.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The commission issued an 18,000-euro fine against Athletic Bilbao for failing to crack down on fans who announced their planned protests ahead of the match.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">It also issued fines for various Catalan pro-independence civil groups.</p> <p style="text-align: justify"><strong>By AFP</strong></p>