
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates with Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, right, after scoring his sides third goal during the Champions League playoff second leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. Photo: AP
In the decision, UEFA, the governing body of European football, found Real's fans guilty of "discriminatory behaviour".
Neither the television footage nor journalists present reported any incidents during Madrid's 3-1 home victory on February 19 over Manchester City that sent the reigning champions through to the last 16.
The statement said the fans had violated article 14 of UEFA's disciplinary regulations, which punishes "racism, other discriminatory behaviour and propaganda".
UEFA fined Real 30,000 euros (31,000 dollars) and also threatened the club with a partial closure of "at least 500 adjacent seats" at the 78,297-capacity Santiago Bernabeu stadium if there are further incidents in the next two years.
Several dozen national teams and clubs are currently subject to the same suspended sanction, including Real's two main rivals in Spain, Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid, for similar offences.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
Short link: