With just over a week to go before the Champions League quarter-finals begin, Real Madrid has received worrying news from UEFA. As all eyes turn towards Arsenal, the European governing body has announced an investigation into four Madrid stars following their victory over Atlético Madrid.
For days, reports had suggested that Atlético Madrid had submitted a case to UEFA concerning four of Carlo Ancelotti’s players. After their Champions League round of 16 elimination against Real Madrid—during which their supporters threw objects onto the pitch—the Colchoneros’ management responded by claiming that Madrid’s players were the ones who instigated the disturbances.
It’s official: investigators appointed to take action
With video footage featuring Vinícius Júnior, Antonio Rüdiger, Kylian Mbappé, and Dani Ceballos, Atlético Madrid’s president Enrique Cerezo and his team have urged UEFA to investigate and impose sanctions. Just days after their request, UEFA, led by Aleksander Čeferin, has officially responded.
In a statement released on Thursday, UEFA confirmed that an ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to investigate allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Real Madrid CF players (Antonio Rüdiger, Kylian Mbappé, Dani Ceballos, and Vinícius Júnior).
In essence, UEFA’s appointed investigators will now analyse the footage provided by Atlético Madrid and determine potential sanctions for these four key players. This is an alarming development for Real Madrid, just days before their first-leg quarter-final against Arsenal. With the risk of suspensions looming over these stars due to alleged indecent gestures after the penalty shootout win against Atlético, the club’s management is now considering its response to UEFA.
A harsh punishment on the horizon?
As it stands, the situation appears critical. In European football, the Nyon-based governing body takes fair play very seriously. As seen on numerous occasions this season, UEFA has not hesitated to punish players. From warnings to multi-game suspensions and hefty fines, Čeferin’s disciplinary committee has the power to impose severe penalties. A suspension for Ceballos, Mbappé, Vinícius, and Rüdiger—particularly the latter, who allegedly made a violent gesture—would be a major blow to Carlo Ancelotti’s technical staff.
Now, all eyes are on the outcome of UEFA’s investigation into the Real Madrid players. Atlético Madrid, meanwhile, may well be celebrating behind the scenes. Still bitter over their elimination—especially after the controversial decision to annul Julián Álvarez’s penalty for a double touch—the Colchoneros have filed multiple appeals with UEFA, forcing the governing body to act on disciplinary and ethical grounds.
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