The first playoff meeting of the Champions League between Benfica and Real Madrid ended 1-0 for the Spanish side. But the result was overshadowed by controversy after Vinicius Junior reported an alleged racist insult from Gianluca Prestianni during the match. The incident triggered UEFA’s anti-racism protocol and is now under formal review.
The match was paused under protocol
Following the complaint:
The referee team halted the game. Players gathered while officials discussed the situation. The pause lasted nearly ten minutes.
Under UEFA’s three step anti racism protocol, referees may:
Stop the match temporarily
Suspend the match
Abandon the match if necessary
In this case, play eventually resumed without immediate on-field disciplinary action. UEFA has opened a disciplinary review to determine whether sanctions are warranted. If the accusation is proven, potential consequences may include:
Match suspension for the player involved
Financial penalties
Broader disciplinary measures
Vinicius Jr has previously been at the center of racist abuse cases in European football, especially during domestic league matches in Spain. His public stance against racism has made him both a target and a leading voice in the fight for stronger enforcement.
UEFA has intensified its anti-racism enforcement in recent seasons, particularly in high-profile competitions like the Champions League.
Vinicius reported that he had been called “monkey,” a racist insult historically directed at Black players in European football.
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