In a firm decision that reinforces its stance on player discipline, UEFA has dismissed Real Madrid’s appeal against sanctions handed to Antonio Rüdiger, Kylian Mbappé, and Dani Ceballos for misconduct during their UEFA Champions League clash against Atlético Madrid on March 12.
The European football governing body confirmed that its appeals committee found no valid grounds to overturn the penalties issued on April 4, thereby upholding the fines and conditional bans imposed on the three Real Madrid players. The ruling stems from incidents that occurred following Los Blancos’ dramatic Round of 16 victory on penalties at the Metropolitano Stadium.
Rüdiger, Mbappé, and Ceballos were all found guilty of “violating the basic rules of decent conduct” during post-match celebrations. According to UEFA’s Disciplinary Committee, their actions constituted a breach of Article 11 of UEFA’s disciplinary regulations, which governs player behaviour and sportsmanship.
Rüdiger, who scored the winning penalty in the shootout, was fined €40,000 after being caught on camera making a throat-slitting gesture toward Atlético Madrid fans. The gesture sparked immediate backlash on social media and drew condemnation from various sections of the football community.
Mbappé, who joined Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain earlier this year, was fined €30,000 for grabbing his crotch during the celebrations — an act deemed vulgar and inflammatory, especially in front of rival supporters. Ceballos, a former Atlético youth player, was fined €20,000 after being adjudged to have deliberately provoked fans with taunting gestures and remarks near the home stands.
Although the three players avoided immediate match suspensions, UEFA imposed a one-match ban on both Rüdiger and Mbappé, to be triggered only in the event of future infractions. Ceballos escaped a conditional ban but remains cautioned.
“The UEFA Appeals Body has reviewed the case and decided to reject the appeal filed by Real Madrid CF. The initial disciplinary measures stand as ruled by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body,” a UEFA statement read.
The decision brings a close to a month-long saga that began with UEFA opening an investigation just days after Real Madrid’s advancement to the quarter-finals of the competition. Tensions had been high throughout the two-legged Madrid derby, but the penalty shootout victory at the Metropolitano saw emotions boil over as some Real Madrid players appeared to goad the home crowd.
UEFA’s disciplinary panel acted swiftly in April, citing the need to uphold integrity and sportsmanship within European competitions. Real Madrid immediately filed an appeal, arguing that the players were caught up in the emotion of the moment and did not intend to incite violence or disrespect.
However, UEFA’s disciplinary bodies were unmoved by the club’s arguments, pointing to the visible and deliberate nature of the gestures made by the players.
“These are not just emotional reactions. They are public actions made on the field of play, in a high-tension environment, and broadcast to millions worldwide. UEFA cannot allow its competitions to become stages for provocations and unsporting behaviour,” the disciplinary report noted.
While Real Madrid have yet to release an official response following UEFA’s latest ruling, sources close to the club told Africa Live News that there is disappointment at the decision but no intention to pursue the matter further with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The club is reportedly keen to move past the incident as it prepares for the upcoming season and focuses on squad reinforcements.
For Rüdiger, this is not the first time he has been involved in controversial on-pitch incidents, though he has largely been praised for his defensive leadership since joining Madrid from Chelsea. Mbappé, on the other hand, had hoped for a smoother start to his Real Madrid career after his high-profile move from PSG. The fine and warning could mark a challenging beginning to his integration into the Bernabéu environment.
Dani Ceballos, whose Real Madrid future remains uncertain amid ongoing transfer speculation, is also unlikely to appeal the fine, despite his personal history with Atlético Madrid being cited as a mitigating factor by some analysts.
UEFA’s firm stance on the issue is seen as part of a broader effort to curb unsporting behaviour during and after high-profile fixtures. In recent seasons, the governing body has tightened its rules on post-match celebrations and gestures, especially those perceived as inflammatory or disrespectful.
Reactions to the ruling have been mixed. While some fans believe the punishments are justified and consistent with UEFA’s disciplinary code, others argue that the governing body is becoming increasingly intolerant of players expressing passion in emotionally charged moments.
Nevertheless, UEFA insists that the integrity of its competitions must be preserved at all times. “Passion is part of football, but so is respect — for opponents, officials, and fans. Players are ambassadors of the game. Their conduct must reflect the values UEFA upholds,” the statement added.
As Real Madrid prepares for a new era under Mbappé’s leadership and with several key players expected to leave or retire, the club will be keen to ensure that its players maintain discipline on and off the pitch. This latest disciplinary setback may serve as a reminder that the weight of the club’s badge comes with expectations far beyond sporting performance.
Africa Live News will continue to monitor any further developments from the Real Madrid camp and UEFA’s disciplinary proceedings across European football.
