Real Madrid football club launched an investigation today after a fan allegedly made a Nazi salute during the second leg of their Champions League play-off against Benfica.
Ahead of last night's game at the Santiago Bernabeu, a fan appeared to perform a Nazi salute as television cameras filmed the stadium. Moments later, security identified the fan and ejected him from the stadium.
Real Madrid defeated Benfica 3-1 on aggregate and advanced to the round of 16 of the Champions League.
The two-legged tie was marred by allegations of racism, after Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior reported Benfica player Gianluca Prestiani for racially abusing him during the first leg in Lisbon last Tuesday.
Real Madrid's management asked its disciplinary committee to initiate "urgent procedures to expel that fan."
"Real Madrid condemns this type of gestures and expressions that incite violence and hatred in sport and society," the Madrid club said in a statement.
Real Madrid fans held up a banner with the message "No to racism" ahead of the match, and Real Madrid player Aurelien Choumameni said that the victory against Benfica was "a victory for everyone who fights against racism."
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