UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Committee has ordered the partial closure of the Santiago Bernabeu for one match due to “the racist and/or discriminatory behaviour of its supporters”, as stated in the report, in the match against Benfica. The closure, however, will only be carried out if it reoffends within a year. UEFA has also imposed a fine of 15,000 euros on the club.
The sanction comes after what happened in the second leg of the Champions League match against Benfica in which a fan in the Grada Fan was caught before the start by the cameras of the broadcast of the match performing the Nazi salute. Immediately, Real Madrid security members located, identified and expelled him from the stadium before the start of the match.
“Real Madrid condemns this type of gesture and expressions that incite violence and hatred in sport and in society,” read the statement published by the Spanish club, which did not prevent UEFA from sanctioning them.
The events occurred, moreover, in a match in which Real Madrid fans displayed a banner reading “No to racism” in support of Vinicius for what had happened with Prestianni in the first leg of the Champions League at the Estadio Da Luz.
UEFA statement
– To fine Real Madrid CF €15,000 and to order the partial closure of the Real Madrid CF stadium (i.e. 500 adjacent seats in the lower south stand) during the next UEFA club competition match in which Real Madrid CF play as the host club, for the racist and/or discriminatory behaviour of its supporters. Such stadium closure is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year, from the date of this decision.
Read the full article here
