UEFA have released a statement in relation to Real Madrid’s Champions League round of 16 second-leg match against Atletico Madrid on March 12.
Real Madrid progressed to the last eight of the Champions League after a penalty shootout victory against Atletico Madrid earlier this month.
The evening was marred by controversy as after full-time several Los Blancos players celebrated in front of the Atletico fans still inside the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
UEFA uploaded a statement to their website on Thursday, which read: “A UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed to investigate allegations of indecent conduct by Real Madrid CF players (Antonio Rüdiger, Kylian Mbappé, Daniel Ceballos Fernández and Vinícius Júnior) during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between Club Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid CF on 12 March 2025.
“Further information regarding this matter will be made available in due course.”
Real Madrid celebrated in front of Atletico Madrid fans (Credit:Getty)
Spanish outlet MARCA reports that Rudiger is being investigated concerning a gesture of “putting a hand around his neck”, Mbappe for “touching his genitals” and Vinicius Jr. for a “confrontation with the crowd” before and after the match. While Ceballos’ alleged offence is not stated in MARCA’s report – although he could be seen dancing alongside Jude Bellingham shortly after the end of proceedings.
And this wasn’t the first time a Champions League tie at Atletico had ended in controversy.
Back in 2019, then-Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo was fined €20,000 for his gestures at the end of the Champions League round of 16 match against Atlético Madrid.
Real will return to European action on Tuesday 8 April when they face Arsenal at the Emirates in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.
A ban could see the Madrid players who are being investigated miss the clash against Mikel Arteta’s side but whether this could happen is still unclear at this time.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Champions League, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, UEFA, Football
European football authority, UEFA, has officially announced an investigation into Real Madrid after their recent Champions League match against rivals Atletico Madrid. The probe centers on the conduct of several Real Madrid players during post-match celebrations.
Real Madrid secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals by defeating Atletico Madrid in a penalty shootout on March 12th. However, the victory has been followed by scrutiny regarding player celebrations at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, home of Atletico Madrid.
Following the final whistle, scenes of jubilation from Real Madrid players in front of the Atletico Madrid supporters sparked controversy. These celebrations have now led to UEFA stepping in to examine the events.
Real Madrid Stars Under UEFA Investigation for "Indecent Conduct"
UEFA released a statement confirming the investigation on Thursday, stating: “A UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed to investigate allegations of indecent conduct by Real Madrid CF players (Antonio Rüdiger, Kylian Mbappé, Daniel Ceballos Fernández and Vinícius Júnior) during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between Club Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid CF on 12 March 2025."
The statement further indicated that more details regarding the investigation will be released as the process unfolds.
Real Madrid celebrated in front of Atletico Madrid fans (Credit:Getty)
According to reports from Spanish media outlet MARCA, the specific allegations against each player are as follows:
- Antonio Rüdiger: Under investigation for allegedly making a gesture described as "putting a hand around his neck."
- Kylian Mbappé: Being investigated for reportedly "touching his genitals."
- Vinícius Júnior: Under scrutiny for "confrontation with the crowd" both before and after the Champions League match.
- Daniel Ceballos Fernández: While MARCA's report doesn't detail Ceballos' specific alleged offense, he was observed dancing alongside teammate Jude Bellingham after the game, which may be related to the investigation.
This isn't the first instance of Champions League clashes between Madrid sides resulting in controversy. In 2019, Cristiano Ronaldo, then playing for Juventus, was fined €20,000 for gestures made following a Champions League match against Atletico Madrid, setting a precedent for potential sanctions in this current situation.
Looking ahead, Real Madrid are set to face Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals, with the first leg scheduled for Tuesday, April 8th at the Emirates Stadium. The possibility of bans for the investigated players looms, potentially impacting their availability for this crucial upcoming match against Mikel Arteta's Arsenal. However, the outcome of the UEFA investigation and any subsequent penalties remain uncertain.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Champions League, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, UEFA, Football
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