One Real Madrid fan arrested for giving a Nazi salute during the UEFA Champions League match against Benifca..

The Athletic, citing the Madrid Municipal Police reported that a Real Madrid fan was arrested on Wednesday at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu for giving a Nazi salute during the second leg of the club's UEFA Champions League Round of 16s play-off match against Benfica.

The report states that the fan, seated in the Grada Fan section, had been filmed giving the Nazi salute before the match. After repeated warnings, his behaviour was reported to stadium security, who promptly removed him from the stadium before kickoff.

The Madrid Municipal Police have reported the incident to Real Madrid, and club staff have identified the fan and are cooperating with the police in disciplinary action.

While giving a Nazi salute is not a criminal offense in Spain, it can still be charged with "hate crime".

Real Madrid confirmed the incident on their official website after the report was published. The statement read: "Real Madrid Football Club announces that it has urgently requested its disciplinary committee to initiate immediate expulsion proceedings against a member who gave a Nazi salute in front of the cameras."

"Real Madrid condemns such gestures and statements that incite violence and hatred in sports and society."

Following the controversy surrounding alleged racist incident against its Brazil international forward Vinícius Júnior, Real Madrid displayed the message "Say No to Racism" on LED billboards at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu before the match.

Official fan organizations also actively cooperated with the club's call, creating and hanging a large banner in support of Vinícius.

Before the match, Real Madrid's opponent, Benfica, attempted to appeal to UEFA regarding the administrative ban imposed on Argentina international attacking midfielder Gianluca Prestianni for allegedly making racist remarks against Vinícius.

However, UEFA upheld the ban, rejecting the appeal and maintaining Prestianni's one-match suspension.

It is worth mentioning that this is not the first time an incident of a fan giving a Nazi salute during a match has occurred.

In February 2024, a Chelsea fan was arrested by the Metropolitan Police for making a Nazi salute to Tottenham Hotspur fans and was sentenced to a three-year ban from all football-related activities.

Benfica equalized the aggregate score in this match thanks to a 14th-minute goal from veteran Rui Silva, keeping the game suspenseful.

However, Real Madrid ultimately prevailed 2-1 (aggregate score: 3-1) thanks to goals from Aurélien Tchouaméni and Vinícius, securing their place in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16s.

Image source: Internet / The Athletic