UEFA make Real Madrid suspension decision before Arsenal game | OneFootball

UEFA has confirmed that Vinícius Júnior, Antonio Rüdiger, Kylian Mbappé, and Dani Ceballos will all be available to face Arsenal, despite misconduct charges from the previous round.

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Arsenal’s hopes of facing a weakened Real Madrid have been dealt a blow after UEFA confirmed that Antonio Rüdiger, Kylian Mbappé, and Dani Ceballos will be available for Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium, despite being sanctioned for misconduct.

UEFA has issued suspended one-match bans for both Rüdiger and Mbappé, alongside fines for the trio following their roles in the post-match controversy that followed Madrid’s round of 16 victory over Atlético Madrid.

The disciplinary body announced that Rüdiger, who made a throat-slitting gesture following the decisive penalty, has been fined £33,500, while Mbappé, who grabbed his crotch in a gesture aimed at opposition fans, has received a £25,000 fine.

Ceballos, the former Arsenal loanee who is racing to be fit for the game, was also fined £17,000 for what UEFA described as violations of the “basic rules of decent conduct.”

All three players will see their suspensions held over for a 12-month probationary period, meaning they remain eligible to face Arsenal in both legs of the quarter-final.

Vinícius Júnior, who also came under scrutiny for taunting Atlético supporters about his Champions League titles after missing a penalty, has escaped punishment entirely.

Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images

UEFA’s decision ends speculation that Madrid could be without several high-profile players for the trip to north London. Disciplinary proceedings had been opened last week, with Atlético Madrid submitting video evidence of the incidents that occurred in and around the Metropolitano pitch during and after the shootout win on March 12.

In a statement issued during the investigation, UEFA confirmed: “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 Vinícius Júnior) during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between Club Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid CF on 12 March 2025.”

While Real Madrid will be relieved to retain their full attacking and defensive spine for the Arsenal tie, the ruling is unlikely to silence criticism from those expecting stricter sanctions. For Mikel Arteta, the task remains unchanged: overcoming one of Europe’s most experienced sides at full strength.

Arsenal host Real Madrid in the first leg of the quarter-final on Tuesday night, with the return fixture to follow at the Santiago Bernabéu.