Real Madrid loses case at CAS over fans targeting Pep Guardiola with homophobic chant

TL;DR

Real Madrid lost its appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport over a fine for fans' homophobic chants aimed at Pep Guardiola during a Champions League match. The court deemed the chants severely discriminatory, resulting in a €30,000 fine and a two-year probation order for a stadium section closure.

Key points

Real Madrid lost appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport
Fans targeted Pep Guardiola with homophobic chants
Madrid fined €30,000 and given a two-year probation order

Mentioned in this story

Pep GuardiolaUEFA

Real MadridManchester CityChampions League

GENEVA (AP) — Real Madrid lost its appeal against UEFA at sports’ highest court after being fined for fans singing a homophobic chant at Pep Guardiola during a Champions League game against Manchester City. The Court of Arbitration for Sport’s judges decided the chant “was of a severe discriminatory nature … to be considered as far more serious and damaging than acceptable satire and banter.” The court's detailed verdict has now been published to explain the appeal dismissal by three judges dated April 14. Madrid had challenged a fine of 30,000 euros ($35,000) and a two-year probation order to close a small section of its stadium at one Champions League game. When Madrid hosted Man City in February last year, some of its fans chanted that Guardiola was thin, took drugs and would be seen in the Spanish capital's most gay-friendly neighborhood. An expert witness at court linked this to suggesting the former Barcelona coach was “infected with HIV/AIDS,” the verdict stated. Madrid’s lawyers suggested “expressions that are humorous, exaggerated or aimed at powerful institutions or public figures” should be analyzed in context.

Soccer's troubled history

UEFA lawyers argued to CAS homophobia has “cast a long and deeply troubling shadow” over soccer. “For decades, the sport has been marred by a culture of machismo, exclusion, prejudice, and hostility towards individuals based on their sexual orientation,” the European soccer body's lawyers said. “This persistent intolerance has impacted the personal and professional lives of countless players, coaches and fans and also led to tragic outcomes in the past,” UEFA said in the judges’ 38-page summary.

Q&A

What was the fine imposed on Real Madrid for the homophobic chant?

Real Madrid was fined €30,000 (approximately $35,000) for the homophobic chant directed at Pep Guardiola.

What did the Court of Arbitration for Sport say about the nature of the chant?

The court described the chant as 'of a severe discriminatory nature' and more serious than acceptable satire or banter.

How did UEFA respond to Real Madrid's appeal regarding the chant?

UEFA argued that Real Madrid should actively combat such discriminatory behavior instead of appealing the fine, emphasizing the long-standing issue of homophobia in soccer.