Real Madrid have reportedly been hit with a Champions League sanction after UEFA released a statement.
Spanish La Liga giants Madrid are the most successful club in the history of the Champions League, having won the much-coveted trophy on 15 occasions.
The defending champions endured a tough league phase of this year’s competition but returned to their best as they dumped out Manchester City via an aggregate score of 6-3 in the play-off round.
As a result, Carlo Ancelotti’s men will now take on city rivals Atletico Madrid in the last 16, with either PSV or Arsenal waiting in the quarter-finals.
Ahead of the round of 16 tie, it has been claimed that Madrid have been handed a sanction by UEFA, the governing body of European football.
UEFA release statement on Real Madrid ahead of Champions League last 16
As reported by Cadena SER, Madrid have been handed a partial stadium closure punishment which is suspended for a period of two years after alleged homophobic chants towards City boss Pep Guardiola.
According to Spanish outlet Marca, some fans began singing homophobic chants aimed at the City manager during the clash at the Bernabeu earlier in the month.
The report claims that Madrid fans were heard chanting: “Oh, Guardiola, you look so thin. First it was the drugs. Today you can see it in Chueca.”
Chueca is an area in the centre of Madrid that is known as the Spanish city’s gay neighbourhood.
In addition, the Spanish giants have also been fined €30,000.
The statement read: “The Appellate Body has decided to order the partial closure of the Real Madrid CF stadium (that is, at least 500 adjacent seats) during the next match that Real Madrid CF will play as the host club, due to the discriminatory behavior of its fans. This partial closure of the stadium is suspended for a trial period of two (2) years, counted from the date of this decision.”
Los Blancos are back in La Liga action on Saturday when they take on Real Betis at the Benito Villamarin.