Lisbon – A Champions League play-off first leg between Real Madrid and Benfica was briefly halted on Tuesday, , after Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. Reported alleged racist abuse from Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni. The incident, occurring after Vinicius scored the game’s only goal in the 50th minute, has ignited a fresh wave of condemnation and sparked debate about the ongoing issue of racism in Spanish and European football.
The match was suspended for approximately ten minutes as referee Francois Letexier activated the anti-racism protocol. Vinicius, visibly upset, initially attempted to leave the pitch before ultimately returning with his teammates to complete the game. Prestianni reportedly covered his mouth while speaking to Vinicius during the confrontation, leading to the accusation of a racially motivated insult.
Following the match, Benfica manager Jose Mourinho drew criticism for comments that appeared to deflect blame from Prestianni, suggesting Vinicius’s celebration may have provoked the incident. This sparked immediate backlash, with some accusing Mourinho of “gaslighting” the Real Madrid player. Benfica subsequently released a statement claiming a “defamation campaign” was underway against Prestianni, who denies the allegations.
UEFA has announced a formal investigation into Vinicius’s claims. Prestianni could face a ban of at least ten matches if found guilty of racial abuse. The second leg of the tie is scheduled to be played at the Santiago Bernabéu next Wednesday, and the atmosphere is likely to be charged.
This represents not an isolated incident for Vinicius Jr. He has been the target of racial abuse multiple times this season in La Liga, leading him to publicly state, according to reports from , that he believes his fight against racism may have cost him the Ballon d’Or. In a recent Instagram post following an incident at Valencia, Vinicius wrote that “La Liga belongs to racists,” and lamented that “the competition thinks it’s normal, the federation does too and the opponents encourage it.” He further stated that “Spain is known as a country of racists.”
The incident at Benfica comes after La Liga president Javier Tebas engaged in a public exchange with Vinicius, pointing out that the player had not attended scheduled meetings to discuss solutions to combat racism. Tebas’s comments were widely criticized as tone-deaf and a deflection of responsibility.
The scale of the abuse directed at Vinicius is becoming increasingly alarming. Reports indicate that La Liga has reacted to 26 instances of alleged racist abuse towards the Brazilian forward. Two fans identified as being involved in racist abuse towards Vinicius at Valencia are expected to receive permanent stadium bans. La Liga has stated it will pursue legal action if hate crimes are identified, urging individuals to submit any relevant footage.
The incident has prompted widespread condemnation from across the football world. Kylian Mbappé shared his support for Vinicius, emphasizing the importance of protecting players from racism. Trent Alexander-Arnold described the situation as “a disgrace to football.”
Vinicius Jr. Has consistently demonstrated a willingness to speak out against racism, even in the face of adversity. He recently expressed his desire to simply “play football and for Black people not to suffer.” His activism, while admirable, appears to have come at a personal cost, according to sources close to the player, potentially impacting his chances of winning individual accolades.
The response from governing bodies and clubs will be crucial in addressing this ongoing problem. The investigation by UEFA into the incident at Benfica will be closely watched, and the severity of any potential punishment for Prestianni will set a precedent for future cases. More broadly, a fundamental shift in attitude and a commitment to proactive measures are needed to eradicate racism from football and create a safe and inclusive environment for all players.
The incident also raises questions about the effectiveness of current anti-racism protocols. While the suspension of play allowed Vinicius to report the alleged abuse, the fact that such incidents continue to occur suggests that more robust measures are needed. The debate over whether players should have the option to abandon matches in the face of racist abuse is likely to continue.
Kate Scott, broadcasting on CBS Sports, opened her broadcast with a message of support for Vinicius, highlighting the gravity of the situation. This demonstrates the growing awareness and concern surrounding the issue within the media.
