Vinicius Jr Condemns 'Poorly Executed' UEFA Protocol After Alleged Racist Abuse
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr has issued a powerful statement condemning what he described as a "poorly executed" protocol by UEFA, following an incident where he alleged he was subjected to racist abuse during a Champions League match. The play-off clash between Benfica and Real Madrid was temporarily paused after the Brazilian winger reported the abuse, activating UEFA's anti-racism measures.
Match Halted Amid Racism Allegations
The Champions League encounter saw a dramatic halt in play after Vinicius Jr accused opposition supporters of racial slurs. UEFA's protocols were immediately implemented, leading to a suspension of the game. During this interruption, Vinicius Jr was seen leaving the pitch to sit on the bench, as officials attempted to address the situation.
Earlier in the match, Vinicius Jr had scored the decisive goal in the 50th minute, securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid. His celebratory dance in front of Benfica fans resulted in a yellow card from the referee, a decision that left the player baffled. The incident escalated when Vinicius Jr exchanged words with Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni, who was observed placing his shirt over his mouth during the confrontation.
Post-Match Fallout and Statements
After a 10-minute delay, the match resumed, but the atmosphere remained tense. Real Madrid players faced persistent jeers and boos from the home crowd, with missiles reportedly thrown at Vinicius Jr and his teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold. Following the final whistle, Vinicius Jr took to Instagram to share his thoughts on the events.
In a statement posted on his Instagram story, the Brazilian star expressed his frustration, stating, "Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts in their mouths to show how weak they are." He further criticised the response from authorities, adding, "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."
Vinicius Jr emphasised that the protocol was ineffective, saying, "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." Prior to this, he had posted a celebratory image with Kylian Mbappe, captioning it, "Santiago Bernabeu. See you there," in reference to the upcoming second leg.
Denials and Additional Incidents
In response to the allegations, Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni denied any racist behaviour, taking to Instagram to clarify his position. He wrote, "I want to clarify that at no time did I direct racist insults to player Vinicius Junior, who regrettably misunderstood what he thought he heard. I was never racist with anyone and I regret the threats that I received from Real Madrid players."
The match also saw further disciplinary actions, with a member of Benfica's backroom staff receiving a red card during the incident. Additionally, manager Jose Mourinho was sent off in the closing minutes after an outburst directed at the referee.
This incident has sparked widespread discussion about the effectiveness of UEFA's anti-racism measures and the ongoing challenges faced by players in combating discrimination in football. Real Madrid now carries a 1-0 advantage into the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, but the focus remains firmly on the broader issues raised by Vinicius Jr's powerful statement.
