Real Madrid have banned a fan who made a 'Nazi salute' ahead of the Champions League clash with Benfica, with the club taking further action to expel the member
09:24, 26 Feb 2026
Fan makes fascist salute
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The fascist salute was caught on camera
Real Madrid have expelled a supporter who performed a 'Nazi salute' prior to last night's encounter with Benfica. The La Liga titans swiftly identified the offender and ejected him from the Bernabeu, and are now initiating further measures to banish the fan.
Real advanced to the last-16 of the Champions League after rallying from behind in Spain's capital to clinch a 2-1 victory courtesy of goals from Aurelien Tchouameni and Vinicius Junior. Rafa Silva had instilled hope for Benfica, but Los Blancos triumphed as 3-1 winners over two legs.
However, the victory was tarnished by a despicable act from the stands captured on camera. As numerous fans hoisted scarves aloft, one supporter repeatedly performed a fascist salute.
In a statement, Real Madrid declared: "Real Madrid CF announces that it has urgently requested the club's Disciplinary Committee to initiate immediate expulsion proceedings against the member who was caught on television cameras making the Nazi salute in the area where the Supporters' Stand is located, moments before the start of the match between Real Madrid and Benfica.
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"This member was located by club security personnel moments after he appeared on the broadcast and was immediately expelled from the Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
"Real Madrid condemns these types of gestures and expressions that incite violence and hatred in sport and in society."
It was merely the latest controversy to overshadow the Champions League meeting, however. The first leg clash in Benfica saw Vinicius Jr claim that he had been racially abused by Gianluca Prestianni.
The midfielder, who denies the allegation, was handed a one-game ban that meant he missed the match in Spain. Following confirmation of that decision, Prestianni took to X to hit out before quickly deleting the post.
Gianluca Prestianni has taken aim at UEFA
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Gianluca Prestianni has taken aim at UEFA(Image: (Joao Bravo/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images))
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"Punching someone off the ball is allowed, it's seen, and there's no sanction," he wrote. "Punishing without proof is allowed, it's seen. They don't even try to hide it with Real anymore. They're shameful."
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Whilst speaking in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Real head coach Alvaro Arbeloa urged UEFA to "seize this opportunity" to show it is serious in fighting racism following the alleged abuse suffered by Vinicius. He said: "We are facing a great opportunity to make a significant step forward in the fight against racism.
"UEFA has always been a strong advocate in the fight against racism, and now they have the opportunity not to leave it as just a slogan or a nice banner before matches. I hope they seize this opportunity."
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