GENEVA (AP) — Real Madrid has lost its appeal against UEFA at the Supreme Court of Sport after being fined by a fan who sang a homophobic chant towards Josep Guardiola during a match. champions league match Against Manchester City.
A judge at the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that the chant was “of a seriously discriminatory nature and is considered to be far more serious and harmful than acceptable satire or jokes.”
of the court detailed verdict Madrid were appealing a €30,000 fine and two-year probation order that forced them to close part of their stadium for one Champions League match.
When Madrid hosted Man City last February, some fans cried out that Guardiola was thin and on drugs and could be seen in the most gay-friendly area of the Spanish capital. The court’s expert witness linked this to suggestions that the former Barcelona manager was “infected with HIV/AIDS”, the verdict states.
Lawyers in Madrid suggested that “humorous, exaggerated expressions or expressions aimed at powerful institutions or public figures” need to be analyzed in context.
Soccer’s troubled history
Lawyers for UEFA told CAS that homophobia casts a “long and deeply worrying shadow” on football.
“For decades, our sport has been marred by a culture of masculinity, exclusion, prejudice and hostility towards individuals based on their sexual orientation,” said a lawyer for European Football Association.
“This persistent intolerance has affected the personal and professional lives of countless players, coaches and fans, with tragic consequences in the past,” UEFA said in its 38-page jury summary.
Real Madrid vs UEFA official match
The appeal hearing was held in Lausanne, Switzerland, last September, while Madrid and UEFA were still engaged in a years-long legal dispute over the issue. Failed to launch Super League. A month later, Madrid announced: Seeking “huge amount of compensation” From UEFA.
The judges wrote that UEFA’s lawyers argued in Lausanne that Madrid should “fight these chants first, rather than hiring high-profile lawyers and appealing to CAS”.
UEFA pointed out that the fine was only 0.03% of Madrid’s Champions League prize money of 100 million euros (approximately 11.7 billion yen) that season.
The chants during the second half of Madrid’s 3-1 win in the second leg of last season’s knockout play-offs were captured on video and later posted on social media.
The video was sent to UEFA as evidence by Fair Network, which also works with FIFA at the World Cup. monitor discrimination through Chants, symbols and slogans during international competition matches.
real madrid defense
According to the ruling, Madrid’s lawyers said the freight experts’ report had “very serious flaws, both formal and substantive.”
When UEFA first adjudicated the matter in February 2025, Madrid submitted that the chant could have been sung by Man City supporters.
Madrid and UEFA Resolved a separate Super League dispute Three months ago, a CAS judge was processing a verdict in a homophobic case.
in front Madrid host Man City again During the Champions League in March, club officials reportedly met with fan groups to ensure Guardiola was not the subject of abuse.
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