Real Madrid slapped with 15,000-euro fine as fan performs Nazi salute in Champions League

UEFA also ordered the partial closure of the stadium -- 500 adjacent seats of the lower south stand -- for one game, but that punishment is suspended for a year.

UEFA Champions League - Play Off - Second Leg - Real Madrid v Benfica - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain – Feb 25, 2026 Real Madrid fan inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura

Real Madrid have been fined 15,000 euros ($17,364) after a fan was spotted performing a Nazi salute during their Champions League playoff second leg match against Benfica last week, UEFA said on Friday.

Real said after the game that they had requested the club's disciplinary committee to "initiate an immediate expulsion procedure for the member" who was caught on cameras performing the Nazi salute.

"This member was identified by the club's security staff moments after appearing on the broadcast and was immediately expelled from the Santiago Bernabeu stadium," the club said in a statement condemning the gesture.

UEFA fined Real and also ordered the partial closure of the stadium -- 500 adjacent seats of the lower south stand -- for one game. However, that punishment is suspended for one year.

Los Blancos beat Benfica 2-1 and advanced to the last 16 with a 3-1 aggregate win. They play Manchester City in the next round of the tournament.

($1 = 0.8639 euros)