Spanish digital newspaper El Confidencial has reached the testimony of an official who asserts that both the concert organisers and Real Madrid knew that the concerts at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu would exceed sound standards. They were even supposed to have sought an increase in the limits, and after refusing to do so, they held the events anyway.

Serious accusations against Real Madrid

According to El Confidencial, on 30 May, a key witness - Julio Aznar Hercilla, the official in charge of concert permits issued by the Community of Madrid - testified in the case of the concerts at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.

According to Aznar Hercilla, concert organisers attempted to obtain permission to exceed sound limits on the grounds of general, cultural or tourist interest. After the first two festivals, the promoters have been asked to carry out an acoustic impact study, which will be submitted to the City Council, he asserts. However, he does not reveal who made this request.

The official claims that this was the case for concerts by Duki or Taylor Swift, among others, but pressure from neighbours meant that they did not get permission. The concerts went ahead anyway and the recorded sound levels were as high as 87 decibels with a limit of around 55. Although the concerts are organised by the promoters, Aznara Hercilla assures that Real Madrid, as owner of the venue, was notified of the refusal.

© Madrid1902 | There were 11 concerts at the Bernabéu between April and September 2024.

Lots of noise, no responsible

The Community of Madrid and the City Hall - although governed by the same party - are passing the buck in terms of responsibility for ensuring sound levels. The only responsibility that the organisers faced was fines totalling €801,000, including €280,000 for the two Taylor Swift concerts.

Real Madrid faced no penalty and the decision to suspend the concerts was taken by the club itself under pressure from the media and neighbours, not the authorities. For several months, the club's board has been working to soundproof the stadium, and the Community of Madrid wants to change the law to allow the concerts to return.

If Aznar Hercilla's testimony is true, Los Blancos have knowingly allowed the law to be broken on several occasions and profited from concerts that harmed the residents of the Chamartín neighborhood.

© Javier Caireta-Serra | The sound escaped from the Bernabéu through the Skywalk, but also through the entrances and the pitched panels of the facade.