Benfica Accuse Real Madrid and Vinicius Jr of Orchestrated 'Defamation Campaign'
Portuguese giants Benfica have issued a robust statement accusing Real Madrid and their star forward Vinicius Jr of conducting a "defamation campaign" against their player Gianluca Prestianni. This follows explosive allegations of racist abuse made by Vinicius during a tense Champions League knockout fixture on Tuesday evening.
Match Halted as UEFA Launches Formal Investigation
The high-stakes European encounter was dramatically paused for eleven minutes after Vinicius reported what he believed to be a racist comment directed at him by Prestianni. Match referee Francois Letexier immediately enacted UEFA's official three-step anti-racism protocol. In response, European football's governing body has now appointed a dedicated inspector to conduct a full investigation into "allegations of discriminatory behaviour."
Benfica, while welcoming the UEFA probe, has thrown its full institutional weight behind Prestianni. The club stated it views the process with "a full spirit of collaboration, transparency, openness and a sense of clarity." They vehemently denied the accusations, asserting their "historical and unwavering commitment to defending the values of equality, respect and inclusion," symbolised by club legend Eusebio.
Conflicting Accounts from the Pitch
The incident unfolded after Vinicius celebrated his opening goal provocatively in front of the Benfica supporters. Several Real Madrid players, including Kylian Mbappe, have publicly stated they heard Prestianni make a racist slur while covering his mouth with his shirt.
"He put his shirt down here and said 'monkey, monkey, monkey, monkey, monkey'. I heard him say it, and some Benfica players heard him too," Mbappe told reporters post-match. Real Madrid captain Federico Valverde echoed this, noting the suspicious act of covering one's mouth, while lamenting that stadium cameras failed to capture audio of the alleged comment.
Prestianni has categorically denied the accusation. On his Instagram account, he wrote, "I was never racist with anyone and I regret the threats I received from Real Madrid players," claiming Vinicius simply misheard him. Benfica supported this version, posting on social media that, "As the images demonstrate, given the distance, the Real Madrid players could not have heard what they claim to have heard."
Mourinho's Comments Spark 'Gaslighting' Accusations
Adding further controversy, Benfica manager Jose Mourinho has faced severe criticism for his post-match remarks. Speaking to Amazon Prime, Mourinho suggested Vinicius had provoked the situation with his goal celebration and noted that incidents seem to follow the Brazilian.
"There is something wrong because it happens in every stadium," Mourinho said. "A stadium where Vinicius plays, something happens, always." These comments were swiftly condemned by anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out as a form of "gaslighting."
The charity stated, "Focusing on Vinicius Jr's goal celebration or the history of the club, instead of acknowledging the report, is a form of gaslighting. This approach not only harms the individual affected but also sends the wrong message to others around the world." Former Real Madrid midfielder Clarence Seedorf also criticised Mourinho's stance.
Urgent Resolution Sought Ahead of Decisive Second Leg
With the second leg of this finely poised Champions League tie scheduled for next Wednesday in Madrid, pressure is mounting on UEFA to review all available evidence swiftly. Benfica concluded their statement by expressing regret over the "defamation campaign" against Prestianni, firmly standing by their player's account.
Vinicius, who has been subjected to racist abuse in Spanish stadiums on multiple previous occasions, responded defiantly, stating, "Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts in their mouths to show how weak they are." The outcome of UEFA's investigation will be crucial, not only for this tie but for sending a clear message on football's ongoing battle against discrimination.
