Real Madrid fined for fan performing Nazi salute during Benfica match

A Real Madrid fan inside the stadium before the match against Benfica
A Real Madrid fan inside the stadium before the match against BenficaReuters / Violeta Santos Moura

Real Madrid have been fined ⁠15,000 euros after a fan was spotted performing a ‌Nazi salute during their Champions League ‌play-off second leg match ‌against Benfica last week, UEFA ‌said on Friday.

Real Madrid 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 camera 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," Real Madrid said ‌in a statement condemning the gesture.

UEFA fined Real Madrid 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.

Real ​Madrid beat Benfica 2-1 and ‌advanced to the last 16 with a 3-1 aggregate victory. They play Manchester City in the next round.

Follow the rest of the Champions League here.