By Tim Parsons-
Uefa- the group the organise the Champions League, have announced an official investigation into claims that Vinicus was racially abused during the match against Benfica.
Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni will face a 10-game suspension if Uefa’s ethics and disciplinary inspector finds evidence of racism, following the allegation he racially abused
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This punitive measure introduced in 2013 by Gianni Infantino when he was Uefa general secretary was applied in British football in 2021 following a Europa League game between Slavia Prague and Rangers.
Uefa regulations stipulate “a minimum 10-match” suspension. Rangers were angry that the ban was not longer.
“A UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed to investigate allegations of discriminatory behaviour during the UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 Knock-out Play-off between Club Benfica and Real Madrid CF on 17 February 2026,” they said.
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The aggrieved Brazilian was seemingly minded to walk off on Tuesday and the Madrid coach, Álvaro Arbeloa, said they would have joined him.
Kylian Mbappé has now said that Prestianni should not be allowed to play in the Champions League again.
Posting after the game in Portuguese on his Instagram story, Vinicius Jr wrote: “Racists are, above all, cowards. “They need to put their shirts over their mouths to demonstrate how weak they are.
“But they have, on their side, the protection of others who, theoretically, have the obligation to punish. Nothing that happened here today was new in my life and my family’s.
“I received a yellow card for celebrating a goal. I still don’t understand why. On the other hand, just a poorly executed protocol that served no purpose.
“I don’t like appearing in situations like this, even more so after a great victory and when the headlines have to be about Real Madrid, but it’s necessary.”
After a number of discussions between players, coaches and the referee, play then resumed.
Real Madrid held on to win 1-0, with Mourinho also sent off for a separate incident, but there was a further short delay late in stoppage time when fans threw objects as Vinicius Jr was attempting to take a corner kick.
However, in a statement in Portuguese on Instagram, shared by Benfica on social media, Prestianni denied making racist comments.
He wrote: “I want to clarify that at no time did I direct racist insults to Vini Jr, who regrettably misunderstood what he thought he heard.
“I was never racist with anyone and I regret the threats I received from Real Madrid players.”
Benfica posted footage of the incident on X, with the comment: “As the images demonstrate, given the distance, the Real Madrid players could not have heard what they claim to have heard.”
Witness
Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe added fuel to the fire by stating that he was a witness to the incident. He said in an interview after the game that he heard Prestianni racially abuse his team-mate and said the Benfica winger should not be allowed to play in the Champions League.
“I know everything,” the France international said after the game. “I will explain everything that happened.
“Vinicius scored a goal – an amazing goal. He goes to dance and the people boo him. That’s something that happens in football. After that, there’s a moment of tension with the Benfica players. It’s better if it doesn’t happen, but this can happen too.
“It’s the Champions League, the best competition in the world for clubs. So, it’s normal that people want to win, to give their best for their club and their fans and defend their colours.
“After that, Benfica’s No 25 – I don’t want to say his name because he doesn’t deserve it – starts to talk badly. You don’t accept it but, again, it happens in football and it will continue to happen.
“He put his shirt here [over his mouth] to say Vinicius is a ****** five times. I heard it. There are Benfica players who heard it as well. And after that point, everything you have seen started.
Mourinho spoke to Vinicius Jr after the incident on Tuesday
“I want to try and explain it calmly. I don’t want to speak in a general manner. I have come to Portugal many times. I have been lucky to have many team-mates and friends from Portugal, and nothing has ever happened to me.
“With these kind of things, it’s very important to speak in a very clear way, and to not speak in general, because there are people who haven’t done anything wrong. In the stadium, I think there are 70,000 people who haven’t done anything wrong. They just wanted to support their team.
“I have the maximum respect for Benfica and their manager, who is one of the best in history, who has made history at Real Madrid.
“But this player, for me, doesn’t deserve to play in the Champions League anymore.
“It’s a wonderful thing to play in the Champions League. The best competition. Everyone here, all the journalists, loves the Champions League, no? It inspires me as a player, it inspires the people, it inspires children, and we have to give the best possible example to young people.
“If we let this kind of thing happen, I think all the values of football are worthless, all that we believe is worthless. We have to do something.”
Jose Mourinho gives his thoughts following Benfica vs Real Madrid being halted over a racist incident directed at Vinicius Jr.
– ‘I try to be balanced’ – Mourinho after Vinicius alleges racist abuse
Benfica boss Jose Mourinho says he tried to be ‘balanced’ in his response to Vinicius Jr’s racism allegation during the Champions League game against Real Madrid
After the game, Mourinho suggested Vinicius Jr had provoked the abuse with his celebration.
“I told him, when you score a goal like that you just celebrate and walk back. They [Vinicius and Prestianni] told me different things. But I don’t believe in one or another. I want to be an independent,” he told Amazon Prime.
“When he was arguing about racism, I told him the biggest person [Eusebio] in the history of this club was black.
“This club, the last thing that it is, is racist.”
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