Real Madrid have received a suspended partial stadium closure and a €15,000 fine from UEFA after a supporter was seen performing a Nazi salute prior to a Champions League match.
The incident occurred in the Grada Fans section on the south side of the Santiago Bernabéu before Madrid’s 2–1 Champions League play-off victory over Benfica on 25 February.
European football’s governing body examined the case through its Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body. In a statement issued on Friday, UEFA confirmed it had ordered the closure of a section of the lower south stand at the Bernabéu, covering around 500 seats, for one match ‘for the racist and/or discriminatory behaviour of its supporters’.
However, the sanction will only apply to UEFA competitions and has been suspended for one year. As a result, the affected area of the stadium will remain open for Madrid’s Champions League last-16 first-leg clash against Manchester City on Wednesday.
Security personnel identified the supporter during the February fixture and removed him from the stadium after video footage appeared to show him making the gesture before kick-off.
Following the incident, Real Madrid confirmed it had launched disciplinary proceedings and stressed that the club ‘condemns these types of gestures and expressions that incite violence and hatred in sport and in society’.
In Spain, performing a Nazi salute is not automatically considered a criminal offence, unlike in countries such as Germany and Italy. However, it can still be punishable if accompanied by other actions that constitute a hate crime.
Before the Champions League match against Benfica, Madrid supporters displayed a large ‘no to racism’ banner as the teams lined up and the competition’s anthem was played. The banner appeared after Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of racially abusing him during the first leg.
Prestianni has denied the allegation and was handed a one-match provisional suspension for the second leg while UEFA continues its investigation. UEFA said he had been suspended ‘without prejudice’.
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LA UEFA sanciona al Real Madrid por el saludo nazi de uno de sus aficionados https://t.co/G2OqxcVSS8
— El Periódico (@elperiodico) March 6, 2026
⚪️ COMUNICADO OFICIAL del @realmadrid
— El Partidazo de COPE (@partidazocope) February 25, 2026
🚨 El club “ha pedido a la Comisión de Disciplina del club que inicie un procedimiento inmediato de expulsión al socio que ha sido captado haciendo el saludo nazi en la zona donde se ubica la Grada de Animación”
📻 #PartidazoCOPE pic.twitter.com/U0vlPcdJYB
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