Real Madrid have been fined €15,000 by UEFA and face a partial stadium closure after a supporter was filmed making an apparent Nazi salute before a Champions League match. The incident occurred at the Santiago Bernabéu prior to the second leg of their play-off tie against Benfica last month.
The club confirmed the fan was ejected from the stadium after being identified by security, and condemned the gesture. UEFA's disciplinary panel imposed the fine and ordered the closure of 500 seats in the lower south stand for Real's next home European match, though the closure is suspended for one year.
Tensions were high ahead of the game, as Real's Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior had accused Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni of racial abuse during the first leg. Prestianni received a provisional one-match ban and missed the second leg, with a full investigation ongoing.
Benfica manager Jose Mourinho faced criticism for his initial response to Vinicius's allegations, but later stated he is 'completely, utterly opposed to any kind of discrimination or prejudice or ignorance or stupidity'. He added that any player not respecting those principles would have their career at the club ended.
Real Madrid won the second leg 2-1, with Vinicius scoring the winner, securing a 3-1 aggregate victory. They will face Manchester City in the last 16 of the Champions League.
