MADRID – The fallout from the alleged racist abuse directed at Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior during last week’s Champions League playoff first leg against Benfica continues to reverberate, with calls for decisive action from UEFA and a renewed focus on the responsibility of clubs and security personnel to protect players.
The incident, which occurred during Real Madrid’s 1-0 win in Lisbon , led to a 10-minute stoppage as Vinícius informed referee François Letexier that he had been racially abused by Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni. Teammate Kylian Mbappé subsequently accused Prestianni of calling Vinícius a “monkey” five times. Prestianni has since been provisionally suspended by UEFA pending a full investigation.
Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid’s goalkeeper, expressed his disappointment with former Chelsea manager José Mourinho’s suggestion that Vinícius’s goal celebration provoked the alleged abuse. “Mourinho is Mourinho and as a coach you’ll always defend your club, and what your player has told you,” Courtois said at a press conference on . “But what disappointed me was using Vini’s celebration. Vini didn’t do anything wrong. We can’t justify an apparent racist act because of a player’s celebration.”
Courtois emphasized his unwavering belief in Vinícius’s account of the events. “Vini has never said anything like that, so I’m 100% sure he heard it,” he stated. “I believe him completely. Since he’s keeping quiet, we’ll never know for sure, but there’s not much more we can do.”
The incident has sparked a wider debate about the effectiveness of anti-racism protocols in football. While play resumed after a warning was issued over the stadium’s public address system, Courtois believes stronger measures are needed, particularly regarding security within stadiums. “The other things that happened in the stands, in my opinion, warrant stopping the match and kicking those people out,” he added. “As footballers, we don’t see everything, but it happens when we’re focused on the game. There have to be people in charge who see that. There’s a Benfica security guard who’s two metres away and he has to act. We can keep improving in these areas… and stop being so foolish.”
Real Madrid manager Álvaro Arbeloa echoed Courtois’s call for concrete action from UEFA. “We have a great opportunity to mark a turning point in the fight against racism,” Arbeloa said. “Uefa, which has always been and has led this fight against racism, now has the chance not to leave it at just a slogan, at just a nice banner before matches, and I hope that they seize this opportunity.”
Benfica president Rui Costa has publicly defended Prestianni, stating that he “is not racist” and deserves the club’s trust after “being crucified.” Courtois, however, declined to comment directly on Costa’s remarks, reiterating his support for his teammate.
The incident is not an isolated one for Vinícius Júnior. Reports indicate this was at least the eighth reported incident of racist abuse directed at the Brazilian forward during the season alone. This latest episode has reignited calls for more stringent penalties for racist behavior and a more proactive approach to protecting players from abuse.
UEFA has confirmed that Prestianni will remain suspended provisionally while the ethics and disciplinary inspector conducts a full investigation. Further punishment could be handed down upon completion of the investigation. The return leg between Real Madrid and Benfica is scheduled for at the Santiago Bernabéu, and the focus will extend beyond the pitch, with both clubs and UEFA under pressure to demonstrate a firm commitment to eradicating racism from the game.
The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by football in addressing racism, and the need for a multi-faceted approach that includes stronger sanctions, improved security measures, and a commitment from all stakeholders to create a more inclusive and respectful environment for players and fans alike.
