Champions League Clash Marred by Racism Allegations as Mbappé Demands Action
Real Madrid secured a 1-0 victory over Benfica in the first leg of the Champions League play-off round at Estadio da Luz on Wednesday, , but the match was overshadowed by allegations of racist abuse directed at Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior.
The incident occurred shortly after Vinícius Júnior opened the scoring in the 50th minute. His celebration and subsequent confrontation with Benfica players led him to point towards Benfica forward Gianluca Prestianni, appearing to accuse him of racist behavior. The game was halted for approximately ten minutes as officials investigated the claims.
Following the match, Prestianni vehemently denied the allegations in a statement posted on Instagram. He claimed to have misunderstood what he thought he heard and asserted that he has “never been racist with anyone,” also expressing regret over threats received from Real Madrid players. However, his denial has been met with skepticism, particularly from fellow players and observers.
Mbappé Calls for Severe Punishment
The allegations have sparked outrage within the football community, with Kylian Mbappé leading the calls for decisive action against Prestianni. Mbappé, speaking after the match, stated that Prestianni repeatedly used a racial slur – specifically, calling Vinícius Júnior a “monkey” five times – while attempting to cover his mouth with his shirt.
What I saw is very clear: number 25 said five times to Vini that you are a monkey. Everyone can have their opinion, but this kind of behavior is unacceptable. It’s wonderful to play in the Champions League, but showing this image is terrible for world football,said Mbappé in the mixed zone at Da Luz.
Mbappé went on to express his belief that Prestianni is a racist and does not deserve to be considered a professional colleague. He emphasized the need to set an example for young fans and called on UEFA to impose the maximum possible sanction on the Benfica player, suggesting he should be banned from the Champions League.
I called him racist because I think he is. He tried to hide behind his shirt, but his face doesn’t lie. This type of person is not a professional colleague. A young player cannot have the freedom to say things like this on a football field. It’s a big problem, and we’ll see what happens,Mbappé added.
The French forward acknowledged Vinícius Júnior’s distress following the incident, while also praising his performance on the pitch. He reiterated the importance of sending a strong message against racism to all those who watch the game.
Benfica’s Response and Ongoing Investigation
Benfica released a statement following the match, accompanied by video footage of the incident. The club argued that, given the distance between the players, Real Madrid players could not have accurately heard the alleged insults. This claim has been challenged by those who witnessed the exchange and by Mbappé’s direct account.
The incident comes as part of a troubling pattern of racist abuse directed at Vinícius Júnior, prompting renewed calls for stronger measures to combat racism in football. The player has previously invoked FIFA’s ‘No Racism Gesture’ by crossing his arms in an X shape above his head in response to similar incidents.
UEFA has yet to announce any specific action regarding the allegations. However, the pressure is mounting on the governing body to conduct a thorough investigation and impose a significant punishment if Prestianni is found guilty of racist behavior. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how future incidents of racism are handled within the Champions League and European football as a whole.
While Real Madrid secured a valuable away win, the victory was undeniably overshadowed by the disturbing allegations. The focus now shifts to the investigation and the potential consequences for Prestianni, as well as the broader conversation about combating racism in the sport. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced in creating a truly inclusive and respectful environment for all players and fans.
