Real Madrid disciplinary code sparks free speech row among members

Real Madrid’s new disciplinary code has prompted a growing backlash from members, with critics objecting to rules that could punish private comments and social media posts as well as the unauthorised resale of season and match tickets.

The club published the regulations at the end of July, introducing tougher sanctions for members who resell season tickets or individual match tickets without the club’s supervision.

Real Madrid classifies ticket resale offences as “very serious” and members found guilty could ultimately lose their membership.

However, Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo reports that the main controversy centres on provisions allowing the club to take action over members’ opinions and statements outside the club, including material published on social media.

Two clauses have attracted particular criticism. Article nine, section seven, defines “failure to respect and/or insulting representatives of the club through actions, gestures or words” as a serious offence.

Article 10, section 18, goes further by classifying as a very serious offence any action or oral or written statement that could undermine the respect, dignity or image of Real Madrid. The same classification applies to conduct that insults people who form part of the club or represent it, or that causes serious damage to Real Madrid, either directly or indirectly.

Lawyer Romero de la Osa said the provisions amounted to an attack on freedom of expression. In his view, the club could not decide that a supporter had committed an offence simply because they had insulted or belittled one of its officials. Such a matter, he argued, would have to be dealt with through the established legal process and before a court.

“I can write what I write because I am not a member of Real Madrid and I am not a supporter of the club. If I were, they could expel me for two or three years, or even permanently, and prevent me from watching my team for two or three years. Don’t you see how much impact this ban has?” he said.

Under the new social disciplinary regulations, members found to have committed serious offences can have their membership suspended for between one and two years. They may also be barred from entering the club’s facilities for the same period.

For very serious offences, the sanctions include suspension of membership for between two and three years, and/or permanent loss of membership. The club may also prevent the individual from accessing its facilities for between two and three years.

The rules have now led to an organised response from a group of members. El Confidencial reported that about 50 Real Madrid members submitted a letter to the club’s offices calling for a hearing to discuss the new statutes.

According to the newspaper, the club refused to accept the letter. The members subsequently sent it by registered post and are considering legal action against the board if they do not receive a response.

The dispute therefore extends beyond Real Madrid’s attempt to combat unauthorised ticket resale, with members challenging the scope of the club’s powers over conduct and speech away from its official activities.