UEFA’s Appeals Committee ruled on Friday that part of the Santiago Bernabéu will face a conditional two-year closure due to discriminatory behavior from Real Madrid fans during their match against Manchester City.

A two-part sanction

The sanction, imposed under Article 14 (2) of UEFA’s Disciplinary Regulations, will only take effect if a similar offense occurs within the next two years. If it does, at least 500 seats will be closed off for Real Madrid’s next European fixture. In addition, UEFA has fined the club €30,000 for the conduct of its supporters.

According to Article 14, any individual who insults the dignity of another person or group based on skin color, race, religion, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation faces at least a ten-match suspension or an equivalent punishment. The regulations also state that if a club’s supporters engage in such behavior, the team itself can face at least a partial stadium closure.

UEFA clarified that conditional sanctions are not immediately enforced but can be activated if another similar offense occurs during the probationary period (Article 26, section 3 of UEFA’s Disciplinary Regulations).

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Offensive chants aimed at Pep Guardiola

During the match against Manchester City, some fans at the Santiago Bernabéu directed offensive chants at the visiting coach, Pep Guardiola. The chants included: Hey, Guardiola, you look so skinny. First it was drugs, and now we see you in Chueca (Madrid’s well-known LGBTQ+ district), along with repeated calls of Guardiola, stay!