Real Madrid lose again! This time in court over homophobic chants against Guardiola

Real Madrid’s turbulent season has taken another hit off the pitch, with the club losing its appeal against UEFA at sport’s highest court over homophobic chants directed at Pep Guardiola during a Champions League clash against Manchester City. The legal setback comes on the heels of a disappointing, trophyless campaign in which Madrid also surrendered the La Liga title to arch-rivals FC Barcelona.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld UEFA’s sanctions, ruling that the chants crossed the line from “acceptable satire and banter” into severe discriminatory abuse. The verdict adds another chapter to football’s ongoing battle against discriminatory behaviour in stadiums, an issue UEFA and FIFA have increasingly targeted with stricter regulations and punishments.

CAS judges stated in their published verdict that the chant “was of a severe discriminatory nature to be considered as far more serious and damaging than acceptable satire and banter.” The court also referenced expert testimony linking the chant to suggestions that Guardiola was “infected with HIV/AIDS.”

UEFA argued before CAS that homophobia has “cast a long and deeply troubling shadow” over football.

“For decades, the sport has been marred by a culture of machismo, exclusion, prejudice, and hostility towards individuals based on their sexual orientation,” UEFA’s lawyers said, according to the court summary as quoted by AP. “This persistent intolerance has impacted the personal and professional lives of countless players, coaches and fans.”

The case stems from Real Madrid’s Champions League meeting with Manchester City in February last year, when sections of the Santiago Bernabu crowd allegedly targeted Guardiola with homophobic chants during Madrid’s 3-1 victory. UEFA later fined the club €30,000 and imposed a suspended partial stadium closure, prompting Madrid to challenge the punishment at CAS.

CAS BACKS UEFA CRACKDOWN

According to the published judgment, Madrid’s legal team argued that the chants should be viewed in context and claimed “expressions that are humorous, exaggerated or aimed at powerful institutions or public figures” required broader interpretation. The club also questioned evidence submitted by anti-discrimination monitoring body Fare Network, which had provided video footage of the chants to UEFA.

UEFA, however, maintained that clubs must take responsibility for discriminatory behaviour inside stadiums. The governing body reportedly argued during the hearing in Lausanne that Real Madrid “should be the first fighting against those chants, instead of hiring high-profile lawyers to file an appeal with the CAS.”

The legal battle unfolded while Madrid and UEFA were simultaneously engaged in a separate dispute linked to the failed European Super League project. Although both sides resolved that conflict earlier this year, the CAS ruling represents another setback for the Spanish giants off the pitch.

Ahead of Madrid’s subsequent Champions League meeting with Manchester City in March, reports suggested club officials met supporter groups in an effort to ensure Guardiola was not subjected to further abuse.

– Ends