UEFA has rejected an appeal from Real Madrid against fines for Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger and Dani Ceballos for their conduct at the end of their Champions League last-16 tie with Atletico Madrid.
Madrid beat Atletico in a dramatic penalty shootout in March, which saw Julian Alvarez have his successful penalty controversially chalked off.
UEFA subsequently confirmed it was investigating Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Rudiger and Ceballos and, in April, announced punishments for all but Vinicius.
Mbappe was seen to grab his crotch in a gesture apparently aimed at the Atletico fans following the victory, while TV pictures appeared to show Rudiger make a throat-slitting motion.
France star Mbappe was fined €30,000 by UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB), with Germany defender Rudiger receiving a €40,000 fine. Both players were handed a suspended one-match ban, subject to a probationary period of one year. Ceballos was fined €20,000.
UEFA ruled on the appeal on Monday, dismissing it and keeping those sanctions in place.
In addition, European football’s governing body also dismissed an appeal from Madrid against a €15,000 fine levied by the CEDB for a Nazi salute made by a supporter during their quarter-final first-leg defeat to Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.
Madrid were banned from selling away tickets to supporters for their next UEFA match, though that punishment was also suspended, subject to a probationary period of one year.
Meanwhile, Slavia Prague will have their Fortuna Arena home partially closed for the first Champions League match they host in the 2025-26 league phase.
Slavia, who qualified for the league phase after winning the Czech title in 2024-25, had an appeal against their punishments for the racist behaviour of fans during a Europa League tie with Anderlecht in December partially upheld.
An initial fine of €35,000 has been reduced to €20,000, though a partial stadium closure for their next UEFA match remains in place.
