Madrid, Spain — UEFA don start investigation on Real Madrid players Antonio Rudiger, Kylian Mbappe, Dani Ceballos, and Vinicius Junior after dem allegedly show indecent conduct wey happen during di Champions League last-16 match against Atlético Madrid on March 12, 2025. Dis investigation follow after Madrid win di shootout against dem city rivals, and e happen for Metropolitano Stadium.
Di four players dey alleged to don make some provocative gestures towards Atlético supporters after dem win di match. Rudiger wey score di final penalty for di shootout, lead di team to dance in front of di Atletico fans, wetin cause some commotion as di Atletico fans begin throw objects at dem.
Di UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector don appoint to check wetin really happen during di post-match celebration. Di statements from UEFA talk say, “A UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector don appointed to investigate allegations of indecent conduct by Real Madrid CF players during di UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between Club Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid CF on 12 March 2025.”
Videos from di celebration show Rudiger with throat-slitting gesture while on di pitch, Ceballos also catch footage making an obscene gesture as he waka go di tunnel. Mbappe dey alleged to don perform for crowd as he dey leave di pitch, and Vinicius Junior too dey show gesture towards dem supporters.
According to di laws of di game, using offensive or abusive language or action, or acting provocatively are serious offenses wey fit earn players red cards. Di controversy fit affect dem players because any disciplinary action could lead to dem missing di first leg of di quarter-finals against Arsenal on April 8.
Di shootout wey Madrid win finish 4-3 after di match end 2-2 on aggregate. Di investigation stage no get clear timeline, but most of di evidence fit be video footage of di incidents. UEFA never show how long dis process go take and wetin be di possible sanctions.
Previous cases show dat fine fit be more likely than a ban, after Cristiano Ronaldo receive fine of €20,000 for improper conduct in 2019 for making an obscene gesture against Atlético while he dey play for Juventus. So e fit mean say Rudiger and di other players might also face similar penalties.
When dem reach out to Real Madrid for comment, dem no respond. Coach Carlo Ancelotti show confidence in di outcome of di UEFA investigation. “We dey wait for verdict, but our players no do anything wrong,” he talk during di pre-match press conference. He reassure say na just celebration, and dem dey look forward to di next game against Arsenal.
As dem dey face pressure from UEFA, di Real Madrid stars don put in fresh preparations to ensure dem ready for di quarter-final clash wit Arsenal. Di verdict of di investigation fit come before di crucial match, but for now, everybody dey keep their fingers crossed.
