Real Madrid booted out fan who performed a Nazi salute during the Spanish side’s Champions League playoff tie against Benfica on Wednesday night.
A TV camera caught the fan performing the fascist gesture as it panned around the Bernabeu Stadium ahead of the game, broadcasting the incident to an international audience.
Real Madrid quickly opened an investigation into the incident and made an official statement after the match.
It said the club’s internal disciplinary committee would “initiate an immediate expulsion procedure” against the fan.
It added that “this member was identified by the club's security staff moments after appearing on the broadcast and was immediately expelled from the Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
“Real Madrid condemns this type of gesture and expression that incites violence and hatred in sports and society.”
A Nazi salute alone is not a criminal offence according to Spanish law but can be punished by the legal system if accompanied by other acts which constitute a hate crime.
A Chelsea supporter was convicted of a racially aggravated public order offence in 2024 for performing a Nazi salute towards Tottenham Hotspur fans in a league fixture the previous year. He was given a three-year football banning order.
During the first leg of the tie in Lisbon last week, the game was halted for ten minutes after Real winger Vinicius Jr accused opponent Gianluca Prestianni of racism, alleging that he had used the word for a ‘monkey’ in Spanish.
Prestianni denied the allegation, saying he had used a homophobic slur and not a racist one. He served a one-game provisional suspension while Uefa investigates the allegations; Benfica unsuccessfully appealed the decision.
On Wednesday night, Real Madrid fans unfurled a banner reading “No to racism” in support of the Brazilian.
Real Madrid won the first leg 1-0 thanks to a stunning goal from Vinicius Jr, and progressed to the competition’s round of 16 last night with a 2-1 win, making it 3-1 on aggregate.
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