Arsenal receive an official warning from UEFA

Real Madrid were fined 20,000 euros for delaying the start of the match during their recent quarterfinal match against Bayern Munich.

The disciplinary measure comes as Mikel Arteta and Arsenal received a formal warning from UEFA following a similar infringement against Sporting CP in the Champions League last week.

Madrid’s Champions League campaign ended on a sour note after the governing body imposed a financial penalty on the Spanish giants.

While Los Blancos were eliminated following a dramatic 6-4 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich, the administrative fallout has only just begun.

UEFA confirmed that the 15-time winners have been fined 20,000 euros for a delay in the start of the first leg at the Bernabéu, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The sanction is part of a wider crackdown by UEFA match delegates against procedural delays that disrupt the strict schedules of high-profile broadcast matches.

Arsenal and manager Arteta found themselves in a similar situation but managed to escape a direct financial hit. Instead, the Gunners received a formal warning for a delayed kick-off during their narrow aggregate victory over Sporting.

The disciplinary report states that the north London club must tighten its pre-match protocols to ensure teams are ready to go at the referee’s whistle.

For Arteta, the warning serves as a warning that any further violations during the upcoming semi-final against Atletico Madrid could lead to significant fines or touchline bans.