Vinícius Jr. racism allegation prompts UEFA investigation - ESPN
UEFA has appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to investigate allegations of a racist slur directed at Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior during Tuesday's Champions League playoff match at Benfica.
Vinícius scored the only goal in the first leg at the Estádio da Luz, but during his celebration, he became embroiled in a spat with Benfica players, including Gianluca Prestianni, accusing the Argentinian midfielder of racial abuse.
The game was paused for 10 minutes after the referee initiated UEFA's anti-racism protocol.
The 20-year-old forward faces a potential 10-match ban if found guilty of racial abuse in UEFA's disciplinary code.
«A UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed to investigate allegations of discriminatory behaviour during the UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 knockout playoff between Club Benfica and Real Madrid CF on 17 February 2026,» a UEFA statement said.
Prestianni, 20, denied Vinicius' allegations on social media, stating that the Brazil international «misinterpreted what he thinks he heard.»
Madrid's Kylian Mbappé said he heard Prestianni call Vinícius a «monkey» five times.
Sources told ESPN that Vinícius is well and is very grateful for the support he has received from his club and teammates, particularly Mbappé, who was one of the first Madrid players to come to Vinícius' defense.
The French star was captured shortly after the alleged episode by Spanish TV Movistar+ cameras confronting Prestianni on the pitch and accusing him of racism.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Mbappé said he «really hurt for Vinícius» while demanded that action be taken against Prestianni.
— Seedorf on Mourinho's Vinícius reaction: Mistake to justify racial abuse
- Trent Alexander-Arnold
