Benfica's Prestianni Denies Racist Insult Against Vinícius in Champions League Clash
Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni has firmly denied racially insulting Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior during a tense Champions League playoff match. The 20-year-old Argentina forward took to social media to state, "I have never been racist with anyone and I regret the threats that I received from Real Madrid players." This incident has sparked widespread controversy in European football, highlighting ongoing issues with racial abuse in the sport.
Match Halted Under Anti-Racism Protocol
The Champions League game at Benfica's Stadium of Light was suspended for nearly 10 minutes on Wednesday after the referee initiated the anti-racism protocol. This stoppage occurred following allegations from Vinícius that Prestianni directed a racist slur at him during the match, which Real Madrid ultimately won 1-0. The confrontation began when Vinícius celebrated his 50th-minute goal by dancing near the corner flag, prompting angry reactions from Benfica fans who threw bottles and other objects toward the Madrid players.
Prestianni then approached Vinícius and said something while covering his mouth with his jersey, a gesture that has raised questions about the intent and audibility of his words. Real Madrid players reportedly considered leaving the field in protest but decided to continue playing after discussions. The referee, François Letexier, indicated that he did not hear any insult and noted Prestianni's shirt-covered mouth, but no yellow card was issued to the Benfica player, who was substituted in the 81st minute to applause from home supporters.
Club Support and Player Defenses
Benfica has publicly backed Prestianni, releasing a video on social media that argues Real Madrid players were too far away to have heard any alleged insult. The club stated, "As the images show, given the distance, the Real Madrid players couldn't have heard what they have been saying that they heard." Alongside this, Benfica posted Prestianni's denial with the supportive message: "Together, by your side."
Prestianni elaborated on his defense, claiming that Vinícius misunderstood his words. He said, "I want to clarify that at no time did I direct racist insults at the player Vinícius Júnior, who unfortunately misinterpreted what he thought he had heard." However, he did not explain why he covered his mouth during the exchange. Meanwhile, Vinícius, who is Black and has faced repeated racist abuse in Spain, went to the sideline and sat in the dugout during the stoppage, visibly affected by the incident.
Reactions from Players and Officials
The controversy has drawn strong reactions from across the football world. Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé voiced his support for Vinícius on social media, posting, "Dance, Vini, and please never stop. They will never tell us what we have to do or not." Mbappé also called for Prestianni to be banned from the Champions League. UEFA has responded by stating that official reports from the match are under review, indicating potential disciplinary actions pending further investigation.
Benfica coach José Mourinho criticized Vinícius for his goal celebration near the Benfica flag but refrained from taking sides in the dispute. Mourinho mentioned that he spoke with both players and highlighted that Benfica's legendary player Eusébio was also Black, subtly questioning why Vinícius is frequently targeted. Additionally, online videos surfaced showing some Benfica fans making monkey gestures from the stands, adding to the gravity of the situation.
As Real Madrid prepares to host the second leg on February 25, with the winner advancing to the round of 16, this incident underscores the persistent challenges of racism in football and the need for stricter enforcement of anti-discrimination measures.
