Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 806 Fri. September 01, 2006  
   
Sports


Ballack pays the penalty


German international captain Michael Ballack has been ordered to pay a 70,000-euro (90,000 dollars) fine for failing to declare goods he bought in Dubai, Landshut district court said Wednesday.

Ballack bought an Italian handbag worth 2,000 euros (2,600 dollars) for his partner Simone in January on returning from a Dubai training camp with former club Bayern Munich, but did not declare the purchase on his arrival at Munich airport.

The 29-year-old Ballack earns a reported 190,000 euros (243,000 dollars) a week at English Premiership champions Chelsea.