Real Madrid has been fined by UEFA after a fan was caught making a Nazi salute during a Champions League playoff match at the Santiago Bernabéu.
According to reports from journalist Henry Winter, the incident occurred shortly before kickoff during the match against Portuguese club Benfica. UEFA later confirmed disciplinary action against the Spanish club.
The governing body imposed a fine of 15,000 euros and ordered a conditional partial closure of 500 seats in the lower south stand of the stadium. The sanction will remain in effect for one year and will only be enforced if similar incidents occur again during that period.
Real Madrid responded quickly after the incident and issued a public statement condemning the gesture. The club said the individual responsible had been identified and removed from the stadium.
“Real Madrid strongly condemns any gesture or expression that promotes violence, racism or hatred in sport and in society,” the club said.
The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny around racism in European football. Earlier in the tie between the two teams, Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior was reportedly subjected to racist abuse during the first leg in Lisbon.
UEFA continues to emphasize its zero tolerance policy toward racism and extremist gestures in football stadiums, warning clubs that further incidents could lead to harsher sanctions.
