Madrid, March 6, 2026: UEFA has fined Real Madrid €15,000 ($17,000) after one of the club’s supporters was seen performing a Nazi salute ahead of a recent UEFA Champions League match.
In a statement issued on Friday, UEFA’s disciplinary board said the Spanish club was punished “for the racist or discriminatory behaviour of its supporters” during the second leg of their play-off round victory over Benfica on February 25.
Alongside the fine, UEFA also ordered a partial stadium closure of 500 seats, which will remain suspended for a one-year probationary period, meaning the sanction will only be enforced if similar incidents occur during that time.
Real Madrid had earlier removed the supporter from the stadium after he was caught on camera making the offensive gesture in the stands before the match began.
The tie between the two clubs was also overshadowed by a separate controversy in the first leg, when Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni was accused of directing racist remarks at Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior. Prestianni has denied the allegations.
Despite the off-field incidents, Real Madrid advanced to the Round of 16 of the Champions League, where they are set to face English Premier League champions Manchester City.
