Following an incident involving racist behavior by a fan during a UEFA Champions League match versus SL Benfica at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, UEFA has sanctioned Real Madrid CF.
A portion of the Bernabeu will be closed for one European match if a similar offense takes place over the following 12 months, according to UEFA’s Control, Ethics, and Disciplinary Committee.
Due to what the governing body called “racist and/or discriminatory behavior” by supporters, the verdict mandates a suspended one-match partial shutdown of a 500-seat section close to the lower south stand.
The Spanish club has been fined €15,000 in addition to the warning.
A supporter in the Grada supporter section was seen on television cameras making a Nazi salute prior to kickoff of the Champions League match against Benfica, which led to the suspension.
Before the game started, stadium security personnel swiftly recognized the person and took him off the field.
Later, Real Madrid released a statement distancing themselves from the actions of the fan.
“This kind of gesture and expression that incite violence and hatred in sport and in society is condemned by Real Madrid,” the team stated.
Following an earlier dispute involving Gianluca Prestianni during the first leg at the Estádio da Luz, Madrid supporters also held a banner that read “No to racism” in support of Vinícius Júnior that night.
UEFA decided to issue a disciplinary fine, warning that any repeat offense within the next year may result in the partial closure of the Bernabeu stand during a future European home match, despite the club’s denunciation and the supporter’s prompt evacuation.
