Vinicius’ Goal Tainted by Racism Allegations in Real Madrid-Benfica Clash

omidbasir- Vinicius scored the only goal of the match, giving Real Madrid a first-leg advantage in their knockout round play-off against Benfica. However, the fixture was marred by allegations of racism involving Prestianni, prompting a ten-minute pause as referee Letexier activated the anti-racism protocol. Vinicius received support from his teammates, who expressed willingness to halt the game entirely. Following the match, he addressed the incident on social media, stating:

“Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts in their mouths to show how weak they are. But they have the protection of others who, theoretically, have an obligation to punish them. Nothing that happened today is new in my life or in my team’s life. I received a yellow card for celebrating a goal. I still don’t understand why. On the other hand, it was just a poorly executed protocol that served no purpose. I don’t like to appear in situations like this, especially after a big win and when the headlines should be about Real Madrid, but it’s necessary.”

Prestianni later denied the allegations, asserting that he had not used any discriminatory language, claiming his words had been misinterpreted by Vinicius and his teammates. He stated, “At no point did I direct racist insults at Vinicius Jr., who unfortunately misunderstood what he thought he heard. I have never been racist toward anyone.”

Benfica, along with its management, has supported Prestianni’s position. The club released a statement affirming its commitment to equality, respect, and inclusion, emphasizing that Prestianni’s conduct has always reflected the values of Benfica. They expressed regret over what they termed a defamation campaign against the player.

In a controversial remark, Mourinho criticized Vinicius for inciting the abuse through his goal celebration. He emphasized the importance of celebrating goals gracefully and referred to Benfica’s legacy, stating, “The biggest person in the history of this club was black. This club, the last thing that it is, is racist.”

Luisao, a former Benfica player, accused Prestianni of dishonesty, asserting that the jersey symbolizes a significant legacy and that a racist act had indeed occurred. He expressed disappointment over the situation, stating, “Football is won with grit, with fighting spirit. It was a racist act, yes, and I’m ashamed of it.”

UEFA has announced an investigation into the incident, which could have serious consequences for Prestianni if found guilty of racist behavior toward Vinicius. The young player may face a substantial multi-game suspension, though it remains uncertain if any charges or sanctions will be decided before the second leg of the match next week.