UEFA Fines Real Madrid €15,000 Over Racist Gesture At Bernabéu

UEFA Fines Real Madrid €15,000 Over Racist Gesture At Bernabéu
Bernabéu section faces closure if similar offence occurs within one year.
Fan removed after making Nazi salute before Champions League match.

UEFA has sanctioned Real Madrid CF following an incident involving racist behaviour by a supporter during a UEFA Champions League match against SL Benfica at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Committee confirmed that part of the Bernabéu will face closure for one European match if a similar offence occurs within the next 12 months.

According to the ruling, a 500 seat section near the lower south stand of the stadium will be partially shut for one match if another incident of what the governing body described as “racist and/or discriminatory behaviour” occurs.

In addition to the warning, the Spanish club was fined €15,000. The sanction followed an incident before kick off during the Champions League fixture when a supporter in the Grada Fan section was caught on broadcast cameras making a Nazi salute.

Security officials at the stadium quickly identified the individual and removed him from the venue before the match began. Real Madrid later issued a statement distancing the club from the conduct of the supporter and condemning the act.

“Real Madrid condemns this type of gesture and expressions that incite violence and hatred in sport and in society,” the club said. The incident occurred on a night when Madrid supporters had also displayed a banner reading “No to racism” in support of Vinícius Júnior following an earlier controversy involving Gianluca Prestianni during the first leg of the tie at Estádio da Luz.

Despite the club’s condemnation and the swift removal of the supporter involved, UEFA imposed the disciplinary measure as a warning against future misconduct. The European football body said any repeat offence within the next year will activate the sanction, leading to the partial closure of the affected stand at the Bernabéu during a future European home match.