UEFA has taken action against Atletico Madrid, fining the club €30,000 (£26,249) and imposing a suspended one-match ban on their traveling fans. This disciplinary measure was enforced due to the “racist and discriminatory” behavior exhibited by a segment of their supporters during a recent Champions League match, where Atletico suffered a significant 4-0 defeat to Arsenal.
The encounter marked the first time these two clubs faced each other in the Champions League, taking place on October 21 at the Emirates Stadium. For Arsenal, the victory served as a form of retribution for their earlier elimination in the Europa League semi-finals against Atletico during the 2017-18 season. The match unfolded with a goalless first half until Gabriel Magalhaes managed to break the deadlock, finding the net with a header from Declan Rice’s well-placed free-kick shortly before the hour mark.
Following that crucial goal, Arsenal unleashed a disheartening barrage on Atletico, scoring three times in a blistering six-minute stretch. Gabriel Martinelli contributed by doubling the lead, while Viktor Gyokeres marked the resurgence of his scoring form by netting a brace, sealing the emphatic win for the Gunners. However, reports from the match have been tarnished by the behavior of some Atletico Madrid fans inside the stadium.
According to ESPN, UEFA’s charges against Atletico pertain to alarming incidents of monkey gestures, noises, and Nazi salutes made by certain supporters during the match in London. In addition to the initial fine, UEFA has levied an extra penalty of €10,000 (£8,749) because some fans were reported to have thrown objects onto the pitch during the game.
Although the Spanish club faces a suspended ban on selling away tickets, this suspension will be monitored over a probationary period of one year. Atletico Madrid is scheduled to return to Champions League action on December 10 against Dutch side PSV Eindhoven. Currently, they sit in 12th place in the league standings, having accumulated nine points from five matches after securing victories over Union Saint-Gilloise and Inter Milan.
In contrast, Arsenal is enjoying a strong campaign, leading the league phase with a perfect winning record, following a recent victory over Bayern Munich on Wednesday night, further solidifying their position in European football this season.
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