UEFA Investigates Racism Claims After Vinícius Jr’s Accusation

Real Madrid forward Vinícius Jr has accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of racial abuse during a UEFA Champions League knockout match on February 20, 2024, at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. The incident, which halted the game for approximately ten minutes, has prompted UEFA to consider an investigation.

The match was disrupted shortly after Vinícius scored a goal in the 50th minute to give Real Madrid a 1-0 lead. Following his celebration in front of Benfica supporters, Vinícius received a yellow card for excessive celebration. He then confronted Prestianni, who allegedly made a remark while covering his mouth with his shirt. Vinícius immediately alerted the referee, Françoi Letexier, who activated FIFA’s anti-racism protocol and paused the game.

As the match was suspended, Vinícius sat on the bench discussing the situation with Real Madrid’s coach Álvaro Arbeloa and Benfica manager José Mourinho. Although Real Madrid players were prepared to abandon the match if Vinícius requested it, play resumed after a brief delay.

In a post-match Instagram statement, Vinícius expressed his feelings regarding the incident, stating, “Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts over their mouths to demonstrate how weak they are.” He criticized what he termed a “poorly executed protocol that served no purpose,” also questioning the yellow card he received for celebrating.

Prestianni has denied the allegations of racial abuse. In his own Instagram statement, the 20-year-old Argentine insisted that he did not direct any racist insults at Vinícius, claiming there was a misunderstanding regarding his comments. He lamented the threats he received from Real Madrid players as a result of the incident.

In response to the controversy, Benfica released a video asserting that the distance between the players meant that Real Madrid’s squad could not have heard what was said. This post received backlash from supporters on social media, with some expressing disapproval of the club’s handling of the situation.

Benfica midfielder Leandro Barreiro commented that Prestianni admitted to provoking Vinícius but did not use racist language, describing the exchange as a normal provocation during a match.

Several Real Madrid players voiced their support for Vinícius. Kylian Mbappé claimed that Prestianni had repeatedly used derogatory language, while midfielder Auré lien Tchouaméni confirmed that Vinícius had reported the incident to the team. Teammate Federico Valverde commented on the situation, stating, “If you cover your mouth to say something, it means what you’re saying isn’t right.”

This incident has reignited discussions around racism in football, with criticisms directed towards Mourinho for implying that Vinícius’s celebrations may have provoked the situation. Mourinho suggested that players should celebrate goals in a more respectful manner, referencing previous incidents of racism against Vinícius in Spain.

The match witnessed further issues, including objects thrown at Vinícius from the crowd, leading to an announcement warning fans against such behavior. A member of Benfica’s coaching staff received a red card during the stoppage, and Mourinho himself was dismissed later in the match for a separate incident.

UEFA has stated that it is reviewing official match reports and will initiate investigations if warranted. The governing body indicated that any disciplinary actions will be announced on their website. According to UEFA regulations, any player found guilty of racist remarks could face a suspension of at least ten matches.

Vinícius has a history of facing racial abuse, having filed 18 legal complaints since 2022. In June 2024, three Valencia supporters were sentenced to eight months in prison for racially abusing him during a La Liga match, marking a significant legal precedent in Spain.

Real Madrid and Benfica are set to meet again for the second leg of the knockout play-off at the Santiago Bernabéu on February 26, 2024.