After the derby victory in the Champions League at Atletico, the professionals from Real Madrid celebrated exuberantly. In doing so, some of them made unpleasant gestures, which have now prompted UEFA to open an investigation.
Emotions are normal in a derby, but some Real Madrid players went over the top after beating city rivals Atletico on penalties in the Champions League last 16. As a result, UEFA is now investigating the incidents.
The Whites had won the penalty shoot-out 4-2 with the converted penalty from Antonio Rüdiger and then ran to their fans, celebrating. In front of the stand, the lower tier of which was filled with local Atletico fans, they celebrated wildly and some were carried away by unsightly gestures.
Investigation against Rüdiger, Mbappé, Vinicius Junior and Dani Ceballos
Rüdiger made a provocative gesture with his thumb on his neck. Kylian Mbappé is being investigated for making an obscene gesture. And Vinicius Junior is also said to have had a confrontation with the Atletico fans. Dani Ceballos is also under investigation. This information was announced by UEFA on Thursday.
“A UEFA ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to investigate allegations of indecent behavior by Real Madrid CF players during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid CF on March 12, 2025.” Atletico are said to have complained about the Real players’ behavior.
Atletico fans threw objects
But the truth is that cups and objects were also thrown by the Rojiblanco fans in the direction of the royals. The professionals took the thrown objects relatively calmly – Jude Bellingham, for example, headed away a flying cup – but there was still a risk of injury.
The UEFA investigation will be “announced in due course,” the association writes. Fines are much more likely than suspensions. In 2019, for example, Cristiano Ronaldo was fined €20,000 for making an obscene celebration after scoring a hat-trick for Juventus against Atletico Madrid.
