REAL MADRID have launched an investigation after a supporter allegedly made a Nazi salute before their Champions League win over Benfica.
The incident happened before kick-off at the Santiago Bernabeu. Television cameras appeared to capture the gesture as they scanned the crowd inside the 83,000-seat stadium. Security staff quickly identified the fan and removed him from the ground.
In an official statement, Real Madrid strongly condemned the act. The club said it has asked its disciplinary committee to begin immediate expulsion proceedings against the supporter. It added that such gestures promote hatred and violence and have no place in sport or society.
On the pitch, Madrid secured a 2-1 win in the second leg. The result gave them a 3-1 aggregate victory and a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.
The match followed controversy in the first leg in Lisbon. Forward Vinicius Junior alleged he suffered racial abuse from Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni. Vinicius informed the referee, and the game paused for 10 minutes after Madrid players left the pitch.
Prestianni later received a provisional one-match ban. He missed the return leg after UEFA rejected Benfica’s appeal. A full investigation is still ongoing.
Before kick-off in Madrid, home fans displayed a banner that read “No to racism” in Spanish. Vinicius scored the winning goal in the 80th minute and received strong support from the crowd.
Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni said the victory was dedicated to everyone who stands against racism.
