Portuguese giants Benfica have publicly supported winger Gianluca Prestianni after he was accused of using a racial slur against Vinicius Jr during their Champions League playoff clash with Real Madrid.
The incident occurred during the first leg at the Estadio da Luz, with tensions escalating late in the match.
UEFA Launches Investigation
European football’s governing body UEFA confirmed that an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed to investigate allegations of discriminatory behaviour raised by Real Madrid.
Television footage showed Prestianni covering his mouth with his shirt while speaking — a gesture often used by players to prevent lip-reading. Vinicius and nearby teammates believed the comment directed at the Brazilian forward was racially offensive.
Match Suspended for 11 Minutes
The referee activated the anti-racism protocol, leading to an 11-minute suspension of the match.
Despite the disruption, Real Madrid secured a 1-0 victory thanks to a second-half goal from Vinicius, who was later booked for celebrating in front of the home supporters.
Benfica and Prestianni Respond
Benfica posted a message of support for Prestianni on their official X account, writing “Together by your side,” alongside a quote the winger shared on Instagram.
Prestianni denied the allegations, stating he never made racist remarks toward Vinicius and suggested his words were misunderstood. The Lisbon club also released video footage claiming it showed Real Madrid players were too far away to clearly hear what was said.
Wider Reaction in Football
Vinicius has previously been the target of racist abuse in Spanish football, making the latest allegation particularly sensitive.
Benfica coach Jose Mourinho commented that he was unsure which version of events to believe, though anti-discrimination organisation Kick It Out criticised attempts to shift focus onto Vinicius’ goal celebration instead of the reported abuse.
Former Benfica captain Luisao also weighed in, defending Vinicius and expressing disappointment over what he described as a racist act.
Meanwhile, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he was “shocked and saddened” by the alleged incident but praised the referee for following anti-racism procedures.
What Happens Next
UEFA’s investigation will determine whether disciplinary action is necessary. The case adds to ongoing efforts across European football to combat racism and enforce stricter consequences for discriminatory behaviour.
Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
