Real Madrid have reportedly received a Champions League sanction following a statement from UEFA.
The Spanish La Liga giants, who are the most successful club in Champions League history with 15 titles, faced a challenging league phase this year but bounced back by eliminating Manchester City with a 6-3 aggregate score in the play-off round. ..Continue Reading
Carlo Ancelotti’s team will now face city rivals Atletico Madrid in the last 16, with either PSV or Arsenal awaiting them in the quarter-finals.
Ahead of the round of 16 clash, it has been reported that UEFA, the governing body of European football, has sanctioned Madrid.
According to Cadena SER, Madrid has been given a partial stadium closure punishment, suspended for two years, due to alleged homophobic chants directed at City manager Pep Guardiola.
Spanish outlet Marca reported that some fans were heard chanting homophobic slurs at Guardiola during the match at the Bernabeu earlier this month.
The report claims that Real Madrid fans were heard chanting: “Oh, Guardiola, you look so thin. First it was the drugs. Today you can see it in Chueca.”
Chueca is a central district in Madrid, renowned as the city’s gay neighborhood.
Additionally, the Spanish giants have been fined €30,000.
The statement read: “The Appellate Body has decided to order the partial closure of the Real Madrid CF stadium (that is, at least 500 adjacent seats) during the next match that Real Madrid CF will play as the host club, due to the discriminatory behavior of its fans. This partial closure of the stadium is suspended for a trial period of two (2) years, counted from the date of this decision.”
Los Blancos are back in La Liga action on Saturday when they face Real Betis at the Benito Villamarin.
