REGULATORY · SPAIN
Real Madrid disciplinary action over Nazi salute incident at Champions League match
Change
Real Madrid expelled a club member from the Santiago Bernabeu and initiated an immediate expulsion procedure after the person was filmed making a Nazi salute before kickoff against Benfica on February 25, 2026.
Why it matters
Real Madrid stated it identified the individual via security staff after the gesture appeared on the broadcast and removed the person from the stadium immediately. The club also requested its disciplinary committee to open an “immediate expulsion procedure,” shifting the matter into a formal membership sanction process. The action occurs amid broader allegations of racism around the match, increasing reputational and compliance sensitivity for matchday conduct controls. The executed steps (ejection plus disciplinary initiation) establish a concrete enforcement precedent for similar incidents at the venue.
Implications
- • Membership privileges can be revoked via expedited disciplinary process for hate gestures
- • Matchday security is now tied to broadcast-triggered identification and removal
- • Higher reputational exposure for clubs/competitions when extremist gestures occur on camera
Who is affected
- • Real Madrid club members and season-ticket holders subject to disciplinary rules
- • Real Madrid security operations and disciplinary committee
- • UEFA matchday stakeholders (clubs, officials) managing conduct standards
Source
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