Home supporters attending Real Madrid matches for the foreseeable future now risk being banned if they are caught breaking a strange new rule at the Bernabeu. The last couple of years have been turbulent for the serial Champions League winners, who have claimed just a UEFA Super Cup across two campaigns while watching some of their star power fade and be taken advantage of by Barcelona.
In the latest episode, Xabi Alonso - fresh from guiding Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten, title-winning Bundesliga season - arrived in Madrid, experienced the famously hard-to-please dressing room up close, and opted to leave the Spanish capital after just seven months, having realised he was unlikely to receive much support from the club's hierarchy anyway.
Across 34 matches in charge of Los Blancos, Alonso oversaw just four draws and six losses, with a win rate of just over 70 per cent - a figure that underlined his ability to perform under pressure. While he may have fallen short in finals and crucial tournament fixtures, leaving on his own terms has now made underlying fractures among the fanbase more visible.
Strange New Rule Introduced at the Bernabeu
Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain
LaLiga - Real Madrid v Villarreal - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - December 17, 2023 General view inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Isabel Infantes
It appears Fiorentino Perez and his team are fully aware that Real Madrid are falling short of supporters’ expectations, after the club announced plans to install cameras around the Bernabeu to monitor and punish fans who boo. According to Cadena SER, via Madrid Zone, the hierarchy has drawn a hard line on fan conduct, specifically targeting the “Grada de Animacion”.
Real Madrid have reportedly informed members of this section that strict surveillance will be in place during matches. The message is clear and uncompromising: after the game, the club intends to review security camera footage of the stand and ban anyone deemed responsible for contributing to unrest.
Reacting to the dystopian-style new warning, Reddit users were in shock, with one commenting: "North Korea vibes. Just wow," while a second added: "This is so embarrassing," as a third remarked: "What the hell are they doing? Is that even legal?" Elsewhere, another user continued: "Game's gone."
The club’s stance appears to be one of zero tolerance for negativity within the stadium’s main support block, with fans urged to direct any protests outside the Bernabeu as Real Madrid seek to maintain a positive atmosphere inside. There will also be control over the flags and messages displayed in the background.
Grada Fans warns its members that flags from the different fan clubs located in that area will not be used, only their own, more generic Grada Fans flags, which will be handed out at the entrance to the match. There has been debate and anticipation in the WhatsApp groups of fans in that area, the South Stand of the Santiago Bernabeu, about what will happen during their La Liga match against Levante on Saturday afternoon.
Unrest has been Palpable Among Real Madrid Fans in Recent Weeks
Vinicius Jr
With Vinicius Jr. having been the target of whistles in recent weeks and the dismissal of Alonso inciting further unrest among the fanbase, the administration is desperate to ensure the “Grada” remains a source of vocal support rather than protest.
It remains to be seen who will take on the vacant managerial role, with Jurgen Klopp currently the favourite. But in the meantime, retired defender Alvaro Arbeloa is taking on the caretaker role, where his first match in charge saw him fall to a humiliating Copa del Rey defeat at second-tier side Albacete.