Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published Friday, 06 February 2026, 11:54 / Updated Friday, 06 February 2026 11:58
The continental forum applied to him real madrid a fine of 40,000 euros for delaying the start of the match with Benfica (2-4), and on Rodrygo suspended two stages.
The failure against Benfica has other consequences for Real Madrid, other than the fact that they will have to play a play-off, also with Benfica, to qualify for the “eighties”. UEFA imposed a fine of 40,000 euros on the blanco club, because coach Alvaro Arbeloa delayed the start of the return match with Benfica (2-4), knowing that all the matches in the last stage of the single group had to start at the same time, 22:00 in Romania.
Club Benfica and Jose Mourinho were also sanctioned
Arbeloa was chosen with a warning from the European forum, and the next violation will turn into a full suspension. Benfica and its coach, Jose Mourinho, enjoyed the same “treatment” from the continental forum.
However, Real also suffered an important loss in view of the play-off with the Portuguese. Eliminated in the match in Lisbon for two “yellows”, both collected in extra time, Rodrygo was suspended by UEFA for two stages, so he will miss the play-offs completely.
Rodrygo offended referee Davide Massa
Brazil's Rodrygo picked up a first warning for vehemently protesting the Portuguese players' time-outs. And the second one he collected for insults and offensive language towards the Italian referee Davide Massa, which also attracted the suspension of one more stage.
Real Madrid will play the play-off round against Benfica on February 17 away, with the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu 8 days later on February 25.
