UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body has sanctioned Real Madrid following an incident involving discriminatory behavior during the club’s recent Champions League match against Benfica.
The European governing body issued a €15,000 fine to the club and ordered a partial closure of the Santiago Bernabéu for a future UEFA competition match. However, the stadium sanction will only be enforced if a similar incident occurs within the next year. If triggered, the measure would affect 500 seats located
in the lower section of the south stand.
The disciplinary action stems from an episode that occurred before kickoff of the Champions League second leg against Benfica. Cameras captured a supporter in the Fan Zone making a Nazi salute. Security personnel quickly intervened, identifying and removing the individual from the stadium before the match began.
Following the incident, Real Madrid released a statement condemning the gesture and reiterating the club’s stance against hate and discrimination.
“Real Madrid condemns these types of gestures and expressions that incite violence and hatred in sport and in society,” the club said.
The sanction arrives in the context of a match that also included a show of support from the Bernabéu crowd for Vinícius Jr. Supporters displayed a banner reading “No to racism,” referencing the controversy surrounding Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni during the first leg of the tie at the Estádio da Luz.
While UEFA acknowledged the incident as discriminatory behavior by a fan, the disciplinary ruling stops short of imposing an immediate stadium closure, instead placing the club under a one-year probation period.
The UEFA statement
To fine Real Madrid CF €15,000 and order the partial closure of Real Madrid CF’s stadium (i.e., 500 adjacent seats in the lower south stand) during the next UEFA club competition match in which Real Madrid CF plays as the home club, due to the racist and/or discriminatory behavior of its fans. This stadium closure is suspended for a trial period of one (1) year, starting from the date of this decision.
