UEFA has fined Real Madrid €15,000 (about $17,364) after a supporter was seen making a Nazi salute during the club’s UEFA Champions League playoff second-leg match against Benfica last week.
The European football governing body confirmed the sanction on Friday, adding that the Spanish giants will also face a partial stadium closure as part of the disciplinary measures.
According to UEFA, 500 seats in the lower south stand of Santiago Bernabéu Stadium will be closed for one match. However, the punishment has been suspended for one year and will only be enforced if a similar offence occurs again within that period.
Real Madrid had earlier confirmed that the supporter responsible for the gesture was identified by security staff shortly after the incident appeared on television broadcast. The individual was immediately removed from the stadium.
The club also announced that it had requested its disciplinary committee to initiate an immediate expulsion procedure against the member involved, signalling a zero-tolerance stance on extremist gestures and behaviour inside the stadium.
Despite the controversy surrounding the match, Real Madrid secured a 2–1 victory on the night and progressed to the round of 16 with a 3–1 aggregate win over Benfica.
The Spanish side will now face Manchester City in the next stage of the competition as the Champions League knockout rounds continue.
