Spanish football club Real Madrid has been fined 15000 euros by UEFA following an incident involving a supporter during a recent UEFA Champions League match.
The disciplinary action was announced on Friday after a fan was seen performing a prohibited gesture during the playoff second leg game against Benfica. The match took place at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid.
According to UEFA the sanction includes a fine of 15000 euros which is equivalent to about 17364 dollars. In addition to the financial penalty the club has also been handed a partial stadium closure order affecting 500 seats located in the lower south stand of the stadium. However the stadium restriction has been suspended for one year and will only take effect if a similar incident occurs within that period.
Real Madrid earlier confirmed that the individual involved in the incident was quickly identified by security staff shortly after the moment appeared on the match broadcast. The supporter was removed from the stadium immediately after being identified.
The club also stated that it had instructed its disciplinary committee to begin procedures aimed at permanently removing the member responsible for the gesture from club activities.
Despite the controversy surrounding the match Real Madrid secured a 2 to 1 victory over Benfica. The result helped the Spanish side advance to the round of 16 with a 3 to 1 aggregate win.
In the next stage of the tournament Real Madrid will face English club Manchester City in what is expected to be one of the biggest fixtures of the competition.
UEFA emphasised that it continues to enforce strict disciplinary measures to maintain respect and fair conduct during international football competitions.
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