UEFA fine Real Madrid after fan’s Nazi salute at Champions League match

Published March 6, 2026
General view inside the Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain, before the match. — Reuters/File
General view inside the Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain, before the match. — Reuters/File

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) fined the Real Madrid club 15,000 euros ($17,000) on Friday after one of their fans performed a Nazi salute before a Champions League match last week.

The European football governing body’s disciplinary board also issued Real with a partial stadium closure of 500 seats, suspended for a one-year probationary period.

UEFA punished Madrid “for the racist and/or discriminatory behaviour of its supporters” in the second leg of their play-off round victory over Benfica on February 25, European football’s governing body said in a statement.

Real ejected a supporter caught on camera performing a Nazi salute in the stands before the match began.

The first leg of the tie was marred by an incident of alleged racism aimed at Real winger Vinicius Junior by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni, who denies it.

Madrid progressed to the last 16, where they will face Premier League side Manchester City.

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