UEFA has fined Real Madrid €15,000 (about $17,000) after one of the club’s supporters performed a Nazi salute before a recent Champions League match.
The European football governing body announced the sanction on Friday, stating that its disciplinary board also imposed a partial stadium closure of 500 seats. The closure will remain suspended for a one-year probationary period.
According to UEFA, the punishment was handed to Real Madrid “for the racist and/or discriminatory behaviour of its supporters” during the second leg of their play-off round clash against Benfica on February 25.
The incident occurred before the match kicked off when a supporter was caught on camera making the offensive gesture inside the stadium.
Real Madrid subsequently ejected the fan from the venue after the footage surfaced.
The match itself was also overshadowed by a separate controversy during the first leg of the tie. Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior was allegedly targeted with racist remarks by Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni, although the player has denied making any such comments.
Despite the incidents, Real Madrid advanced to the Round of 16 of the competition.
The Spanish club will next face English Premier League champions Manchester City in the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League.
