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Antonio Rudiger appears to make a throat-cutting gesture to Atletico fans - Getty Images/Diego Souto
Four Real Madrid players, including Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rüdiger and Vinicius Jnr, are at risk of being banned for the Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal.
Uefa launched an investigation into alleged “indecent conduct” and has appointed an “ethics and disciplinary inspector” to investigate the quartet that also includes Dani Ceballos for their actions in the round-of-16 victory over Atletico Madrid.
The investigation is believed to centre on gestures that were made by the Madrid players towards the Atletico supporters. Rudiger is alleged to have made a throat-slitting gesture towards the home fans, while footage on social media has shown Mbappe grabbing his crotch during the celebrations of his team’s penalty shoot-out win.
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Kylian Mbappe enjoys Real Madrid’s penalty shoot-out win over Atletico Madrid - AP/Manu Fernandez
It remains to be seen whether the investigation and any possible disciplinary procedure would be completed in time for Madrid’s quarter-final against Arsenal. The first leg takes place at the Emirates Stadium on April 8, with the second leg in Spain to be played on April 16.
There was a similar situation involving Madrid and England midfielder Jude Bellingham during last summer’s European Championship. Bellingham was given a one-match suspended ban and fined around £25,000 for a crotch-grabbing gesture he made after scoring for England against Slovakia.
On that occasion, the process was relatively swift: Bellingham made the gesture in a match on June 30 and was then fined on July 5.
The loss of any one of Rudiger, Vinicius or Mbappe would represent a significant blow to Madrid as they look to retain their Champions League title this season. All three players are key members of Carlo Ancelotti’s side, while Vinicius and Mbappe have scored a combined 50 goals between them this campaign.
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Rudiger and Vinicius Jnr celebrate their Madrid derby victory that set up their last-eight clash with Arsenal - Getty Images/David Ramos
Ceballos is more of a squad player but a suspension from the first leg would deny him the chance to return to the Emirates Stadium, where he spent two seasons on loan from 2019 to 2021. The Spain international helped Arsenal to win the FA Cup during his time at the club.
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