Lisbon, Portugal – Benfica have formally lodged a complaint with UEFA regarding the conduct of Real Madrid midfielder Fede Valverde during the first leg of their Champions League playoff tie at the Estadio da Luz on . The complaint centers on an incident in the 83rd minute where Valverde appeared to strike Benfica defender Samuel Dahl in the head during off-ball play.
The match, which Real Madrid won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Vinícius Júnior, was also overshadowed by allegations of racial abuse directed at the Brazilian forward. The game was halted for ten minutes while officials investigated claims that Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni had made racist remarks towards Vinícius Júnior. Prestianni and Benfica have denied the allegations.
According to reports, Valverde’s clash with Dahl was not initially penalized with a yellow or red card by the referee and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) did not intervene. Images of the incident show Valverde swinging his arm towards Dahl’s head, raising questions about the severity of the contact and the appropriateness of the on-field decision.
UEFA confirmed on that it has received Benfica’s complaint and will analyze the incident through its disciplinary body. The outcome of the investigation could potentially lead to sanctions against Valverde, including a suspension from future matches.
The incident adds another layer of complexity to an already fraught tie. The second leg is scheduled to take place at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid on , and the atmosphere is likely to be highly charged given the ongoing investigation into the alleged racial abuse and now the complaint regarding Valverde’s conduct.
The allegations of racism leveled against Prestianni have drawn widespread condemnation. Kylian Mbappé stated he heard the alleged abuse “five times,” adding significant weight to Vinícius Júnior’s claims. Real Madrid responded by submitting a dossier containing “all available evidence” to UEFA, urging a thorough investigation. UEFA has appointed a disciplinary inspector to lead the inquiry.
This is not the first time Vinícius Júnior has been the target of alleged racist abuse in Spain and Portugal. The incidents have sparked a broader debate about racism in football and the effectiveness of existing measures to combat it. The focus on these issues comes as European football grapples with increasing concerns about fan behavior and the need for stronger sanctions against discriminatory conduct.
The complaint against Valverde, while separate from the racism allegations, further underscores the tensions surrounding this Champions League playoff. Benfica’s decision to formally report the incident to UEFA suggests they believe Valverde’s actions warrant disciplinary action and could potentially influence the outcome of the tie.
The outcome of both investigations – the alleged racial abuse and Valverde’s conduct – will be closely watched by football authorities and fans alike. The cases highlight the challenges facing UEFA in maintaining order and upholding its values of respect and inclusivity within the sport. The disciplinary proceedings could set a precedent for how similar incidents are handled in the future, potentially leading to stricter penalties for both racist behavior and violent conduct on the pitch.
The second leg in Madrid promises to be a highly anticipated and potentially volatile encounter. Beyond the sporting implications, the match will be scrutinized for any further incidents of misconduct or discriminatory behavior. The eyes of the football world will be on the Bernabéu, not only to witness a crucial Champions League clash but also to observe whether the authorities can effectively address the issues that have marred this tie.
