Real Madrid to Display "No to Racism" Tifo in Tonight's Match Against Benfica

The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is preparing to welcome fans with a special initiative aimed at combating discrimination, as Spanish giants Real Madrid host Portuguese side Benfica tonight, Wednesday (20:00 GMT+1), in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff tie.

It has been decided that a tifo bearing the messages "No to Racism" and "Respect" will be displayed as the players enter the pitch for the match against Portuguese club Benfica.

This step comes in response to incidents witnessed during the first leg between the two sides, with the Spanish club aiming to reaffirm its firm stance and zero-tolerance policy against any racist behavior within its sporting facilities.

Regulatory authorities have classified the encounter as a high-risk event, particularly with approximately 4,000 Benfica supporters expected to attend and back their team in the Spanish capital. Match tickets had completely sold out more than a week before kick-off, reflecting the high anticipation for this clash among both Spanish and Portuguese fans.

Furthermore, the match has garnered extensive media attention, evidenced by the allocation of 31 television broadcast positions and accreditation granted to 246 journalists. Real Madrid seeks to leverage this significant platform to disseminate its awareness messages rejecting discrimination, while maintaining a sporting atmosphere befitting the stature of both clubs and their history in European competitions.