UEFA Punish Real Madrid Over Fan Gesture
UEFA has fined Real Madrid €15,000 after a supporter was seen making a Nazi salute before a Champions League match at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The incident happened before Madrid’s playoff game against Benfica in the European competition. Television cameras captured a fan making the offensive gesture while spectators were entering the stadium.
UEFA’s disciplinary body ruled that the act amounted to racist or discriminatory behaviour from supporters and decided to sanction the Spanish club.
Alongside the fine, UEFA also ordered a partial closure of the Bernabéu stadium for a future European match. However, the closure of about 500 seats has been suspended for one year as part of a probationary period.
Club officials quickly identified the supporter involved in the incident and removed him from the stadium shortly after the gesture was seen.
The club also began internal disciplinary proceedings to permanently expel the individual responsible for the act.
Real Madrid strongly condemned the behaviour, saying such gestures promote hatred and have no place in football or society.
The incident occurred during the second leg of the Champions League playoff round between Madrid and Benfica.
Despite the controversy, Real Madrid won the match 2–1 and progressed to the round of 16 with a 3–1 aggregate victory.
The Spanish giants will now face Manchester City in the next stage of the competition as UEFA continues its efforts to punish discrimination in football stadiums.