Portuguese club Sport Lisboa e Benfica has accused critics of waging a “defamation campaign” against winger Gianluca Prestianni after UEFA opened an investigation into an allegation that he racially abused Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior during their recent Champions League play-off first-leg match. This incident has sparked intense debate about racism, club responses, and disciplinary processes in elite football.
The match, held on 17 February 2026 at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, was temporarily halted for approximately ten minutes after Vinícius, who scored the only goal of the game, reported an alleged racist comment by Prestianni to referee François Letexier. The referee then activated FIFA’s anti-racism protocol, signalling that a formal complaint had been made and pausing play to allow officials to manage the situation.
What Happened on the Pitch
Following his goal, Vinícius celebrated near the corner flag. Cameras captured a brief exchange between him and Prestianni, during which the Benfica player placed his jersey over his mouth while appearing to speak. Vinícius interpreted this as a racist insult — specifically alleging he was called a “monkey,” a deeply offensive slur given the history of racist abuse in football.
The Real Madrid forward confronted the official, prompting the temporary stoppage of play. After discussions with both coaching staffs, the match resumed and ended 1-0 in Real Madrid’s favour, but the incident quickly became the dominant topic of discussion post-match.
Benfica and Prestianni Deny Racial Abuse Claims
In response to the allegation, Prestianni took to social media to firmly deny directing any racist insult at Vinícius. In his statement, he said that Vinícius “regrettably misunderstood what he thought he heard” and asserted that he had never been racist toward anyone. Benfica publicly supported his version of events, publishing footage and claiming that the distance and noise during the exchange made it implausible for Real Madrid’s players to have heard what they claimed. The club described the negative backlash against Prestianni as a defamation campaign.
Benfica’s official club statement reaffirmed its commitment to values of equality, respect and inclusion, and defended Prestianni’s conduct, emphasising that he has upheld respect for opponents and institutions throughout his time with the club. Nonetheless, the club expressed disappointment at the public reaction and scrutiny faced by the young Argentine winger.
Reactions: Manager, Players and Organisations
José Mourinho’s Comments
Benfica manager José Mourinho, who was sent off later in the match for a separate incident, commented in post-match interviews that he had heard differing accounts from Vinícius and Prestianni regarding what was said. Mourinho also questioned aspects of Vinícius’s goal celebration, suggesting it had irritated the home crowd — comments that were widely criticised as detracting from the seriousness of the racism allegation.
Kick It Out and Anti-Discrimination Response
Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out publicly criticised both Mourinho and Benfica for their handling of the incident. The organisation described elements of the club’s statements as gaslighting — focusing on the forward’s celebration or club history rather than directly affirming support for someone who reported discrimination. Kick It Out’s chair highlighted that only the two individuals present could have heard the alleged exchange and urged clubs to listen carefully and support those affected by racist abuse.
Governing Bodies and Player Voices
UEFA has appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to investigate the allegation under its anti-discrimination rules, which carry significant sanctions — including potential bans of at least ten matches if a player is found guilty of racist conduct. Meanwhile, Real Madrid confirmed that it submitted evidence to UEFA to aid the investigation and reiterated the club’s stance against racism and discrimination in sport.
Many players outside the immediate fixture have also weighed in, including allies of Vinícius who condemned the alleged abuse and offered public support. Discussions around the incident have reignited broader conversations about racism in football, fan behaviour, and the responsibilities of clubs and managers when handling sensitive allegations.
Broader Significance of the Case
The controversy surrounding Prestianni and Vinícius has captured global attention not just because it occurred in a high-profile Champions League match, but because it touches on ongoing issues of racism in football. Vinícius has previously been subjected to racist abuse in other competitions, and this incident adds to the discourse on how governing bodies, clubs and fan cultures address discrimination at every level of the game.
The UEFA investigation, alongside reactions from clubs, organisations and players, underscores the high stakes involved when allegations of racial abuse arise in elite football. As the second leg of the tie approaches, further developments are likely both on and off the pitch, and the outcome of UEFA’s probe will be closely watched by fans, players and administrators alike.
