Real Madrid have opened an inquiry after a spectator was accused of making a Nazi salute ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League fixture against Benfica.
Real Madrid have opened an inquiry after a spectator was accused of making a Nazi salute ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League fixture against Benfica.
Television footage showed the individual appearing to perform the gesture as cameras scanned the 83,000-capacity Santiago Bernabeu before kick-off.
Security personnel quickly identified the person involved and escorted them out of the stadium shortly afterwards.
In an official statement, the club confirmed it had requested its disciplinary committee to begin immediate proceedings aimed at permanently banning the supporter.
The Spanish side stated it strongly denounces any actions or expressions that promote hatred or violence, whether in football or wider society.
On the pitch, Madrid secured a 2-1 victory over the Portuguese team in the second leg of their knockout round play-off.
That result sealed a 3-1 aggregate triumph, sending them through to the last 16 of the competition.
The latest episode follows claims made by Vinicius Jr during the first meeting in Lisbon, where he alleged racial abuse from Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni.
The Brazilian forward, 25, informed the referee of the incident after scoring the game’s only goal, prompting a 10-minute stoppage as he and his teammates temporarily left the field.
Prestianni, an Argentine winger, was handed a provisional one-match suspension and missed the return fixture after UEFA dismissed Benfica’s appeal. Further disciplinary action remains possible pending a full investigation.
Before kick-off in Madrid, home supporters displayed a banner reading “no to racism” in Spanish, while Vinicius netted the decisive goal in the 80th minute. Teammate Aurelien Tchouameni later said the victory was dedicated to everyone who opposes racism.
