Ancelotti responds after four Real Madrid stars threatened with possible ban for Arsenal clash | OneFootball

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti says he is confident that four of his Real Madrid stars will not be punished by UEFA after they announced there would be an investigation into alleged “indecent conduct”.

An Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed to investigate allegations of indecent conduct by Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Antonio Rudiger and former Arsenal loanee Dani Ceballos during the second leg of Real Madrid’s Champions League last-16 tie with Atletico Madrid on 12 March.

The investigation is believed to be into the four players’ celebrations after the penalty shoot-out victory saw them through to the quarter-finals to face Arsenal.

In a statement, UEFA said: “A UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed to investigate allegations of indecent conduct by Real Madrid CF players (Antonio Rüdiger, Kylian Mbappé, Daniel Ceballos Fernández and Vinicius Junior) during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between Club Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid CF on 12 March 2025.

“Further information regarding this matter will be made available in due course.”

Antonio Rudiger appeared to make a throat slitting gesture after the game while Mbappe was seen grabbing his crotch.

It is unclear as of yet what the extent of the punishment for the players in question will be, if any at all, and if the investigation will be completed in time for the game against Arsenal but if found guilty there is the possibility of bans for the four players.

But Ancelotti says he is confident his players have not done anything wrong.

“We are confident on UEFA investigation,” said Ancelotti. “We wait for verdict, but our players didn’t do anything wrong.

“We are confident in UEFA’s verdict as the players had just celebrated, that’s it.”

Ancelotti also had strong words for La Liga president Javier Tebas following a renewed row over fixture scheduling.

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick was left furious after his side were forced to play without Raphinha because of their game against Osasuna coming too soon after Brazil’s clash with Argentina.

Tebas recently pointed to the frequency of which NBA basketball teams play and criticised managers for complaining when they choose to make substitutes in the 85th minute instead of earlier, but Ancelotti did not hold back in his views on the matter.

“I knew [Tebas] was obsessed with Real Madrid, but I didn’t know he wanted to be a coach,” Ancelotti responded, when asked about the comments. “[Tebas] should focus more on his own things. He lacked a bit of respect, to Real Madrid and to coaches.”