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A Serbian court fined President Boris Tadic 400 euros (593 dollars) for drinking champagne, in contravention of an alcohol ban in football stadiums, to toast Serbia's World Cup qualification.
Tadic pleaded guilty to uncorking the champagne in a VIP lounge at the Red Star Belgrade stadium after Serbia's October 10 victory over Romania which qualified them for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.
Before the fine was handed down on Monday, Tadic told the court that he was unaware that drinking alcohol had been banned at football games.
"I did not know that consumption of alcohol, even if only for a toast, has been forbidden so I fully take responsibility for the violation," Tadic told the court.
"I take over responsibility and believe that, as every citizen, I should pay a fine or serve a sentence, whatever is the verdict."
Along with Tadic, other officials including Serbia's Football Association chief Tomislav Karadzic were fined 400 euros for violating a law aimed at preventing violence at sports events.
The law prohibits the sale or consumption of alcohol in stadiums and arenas during and 90 minutes after a match.
In past months, Serbia has seen a surge in extremist violence, notably by ultranationalist extremist groups and football hooligans.
