Kylian Mbappe & other Real Madrid stars risk facing ban for next Champions League game against Arsenal

The suspected players celebrated in a derogatory way against Atletico Madrid.

Four Real Madrid players could be barred from the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal match next month against Arsenal. Due to their conduct against Atletico Madrid in the round of 16, superstar forwards Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger, and midfielder Dani Caballos are all the subject of an official UEFA investigation.

Allegations of “indecent conduct” by all four players will be looked at by a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector.

The unidentified occurrences happened on March 12 during Real Madrid’s second-leg triumph over city rivals Atletico in the round of 16. If proven guilty, their sentence is still unknown.

However, Arsenal, who are missing a number of important players due to injuries, may benefit greatly if they are banned.

The return match will take place at the Bernabeu on Wednesday after the Gunners face the 15-time European winners on Tuesday, 8 April. With seven goals apiece, Vinicius and Mbappe are tied for the most goals in the Champions League this year.

After Atletico won the second leg 1-0 to equalize the aggregate score at 2-2, Madrid progressed to the quarterfinals in a contentious 4-2 shootout.

🚨 UEFA announce they have opened an investigation into celebrations of Rüdiger, Ceballos, Mbappé and Vinicius Jr after the Real Madrid vs Atlético game at the Metropolitano. pic.twitter.com/Ni4D54i71P

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 27, 2025

Prior to Julian Alvarez’s spot-kick being disallowed by VAR, tensions were high inside the Metropolitano. It is believed that Atletico formally complained to UEFA, which subsequently started looking into the matter.

The most well-known case included Vinicius, who allegedly took six “shots” at Atleti supporters both during and after the altercation.

The Brazilian, who has been the target of racial taunts from opposition supporters for a long time, was engaged in two separate altercations with home fans before and following the shootout.

The 24-year-old mocked them by pointing to the Real emblem on his coat after being substituted in extra time after missing a penalty in regular time. Rudiger was seen celebrating by showing a gesture of cutting throat to the home supporters.

Before engaging Jude Bellingham in a victory celebration at the very end of the match, Ceballos was suspected of making a lewd one-armed gesture with a clenched fist. Mbappe was accused of making blatantly offensive touches on his genitalia.

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