Real Madrid match stopped for 10 minutes after Vinícius Júnior reports racial abuse

The Champions League match stopped for 10 minutes after a player reported a racial slur. This is the first time these specific safety rules were used in this part of the tournament.
By Newsroom | Sports, Portugal |

The Champions League playoff match between Benfica and Real Madrid was stopped for 10 minutes following an incident involving Vinícius Júnior. After scoring a goal and receiving a yellow card for his celebration, the Brazilian forward reported receiving a racial slur from an opponent. The event led to the activation of official UEFA safety rules and a temporary walk-off by the Real Madrid squad. With tensions high at the Estádio da Luz, the match has raised questions about player conduct and the effectiveness of current rules against verbal abuse.

Champions League match stopped as Real Madrid star alleges racial abuse - 1

Timeline of Events at Estádio da Luz

The match progressed through several key stages before the stoppage:

Champions League match stopped as Real Madrid star alleges racial abuse - 2

  • Goal and Celebration: Vinícius Júnior scored to give Real Madrid the lead. He celebrated in front of the Benfica fans, which resulted in a yellow card from referee François Letexier.

  • The Altercation: Following the celebration, Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni approached Vinícius Júnior.

  • The Report: Vinícius Júnior informed the referee that a racial slur had been used. According to television footage and player statements, the word reported was "mono" (monkey).

  • Protocol Activation: Referee Letexier performed a crossed-arms gesture to signal the start of UEFA’s anti-racism protocol.

  • The Walk-off: Vinícius Júnior left the field in protest, followed by his teammates to the dugout area.

  • Technical Area Conflict: A heated exchange between the coaching staffs occurred. Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho and a staff member were shown red cards during this period.

Primary Evidence and Witness Statements

ActorRoleStatement / Action
Vinícius JúniorReal Madrid ForwardReported racial abuse to the referee; stated that racists are "cowards" who cover their mouths.
Gianluca PrestianniBenfica WingerApproached Vinícius while covering his mouth with his jersey; denies using a racial slur.
François LetexierMatch RefereeStopped play for 10 minutes and activated the three-step racism protocol.
Kylian MbappéReal Madrid ForwardStated that the slur was used five times by the opponent.
Jose MourinhoBenfica CoachStated his player denies the claim; suggested Vinícius provoked the crowd and players.

The referee is following the protocol for a racial comment that has been said. — Mark Clattenburg, former Premier League referee.

Analysis of the Interaction

The core of the dispute centers on a conversation between Gianluca Prestianni and Vinícius Júnior. Video evidence shows Prestianni speaking while holding his shirt over his mouth, a gesture that prevents lip-reading.

Read More: Canada Baseball Team Loses 5-3 to USA in WBC Quarterfinals

Champions League match stopped as Real Madrid star alleges racial abuse - 3

  • The Allegation: Real Madrid players, including Kylian Mbappé, claim the abuse was clear and repeated.

  • The Defense: Benfica management maintains that their player did not use the word "mono."

  • Probing Question: Does the act of covering one’s mouth during a confrontation suggest a plan to hide specific words, or is it a common habit used by players to keep private tactics from cameras?

Application of UEFA Protocol

The match official, François Letexier, used the "three-step protocol" designed for incidents of discrimination. This was the first time this specific set of actions was seen in this stage of the tournament.

Champions League match stopped as Real Madrid star alleges racial abuse - 4

  • Step One: A public announcement is made, and play is halted.

  • Team Reaction: The Real Madrid players chose to move to the dugout rather than stay on the pitch.

  • Outcome: After a 10-minute delay and discussions involving coaches and officials, the game resumed.

  • The use of the crossed-arms gesture served as a formal signal that a report of racism had been filed and accepted for investigation by the referee.

Diverging Perspectives on Player Behavior

There is a clear disagreement between the two clubs regarding who started the tension.

  1. The "Provocation" Argument: Jose Mourinho claimed in post-match interviews that Vinícius Júnior shared responsibility because of his celebration style. He suggested the player "incited" the home fans and the opposing team.

  2. The "Victim" Argument: Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa and defender Trent Alexander-Arnold supported Vinícius. Arbeloa stated he had "no reason not to believe" his player. Alexander-Arnold described the events as "disgusting."

  3. The Referee's View: Mark Clattenburg noted that the referee's duty is to follow the protocol once a specific claim is made, regardless of the player's previous actions in the match.

Expert Analysis

Experts note that this incident highlights a growing trend of players taking direct action by leaving the pitch.

  • Refereeing Standards: Mark Clattenburg indicated that Letexier followed the rules correctly by stopping the clock and acknowledging the complaint immediately.

  • Coach Responsibility: Wayne Rooney commented on Mourinho's stance, calling it "unfair" to blame the player reporting the abuse rather than focusing on the alleged slur itself.

  • Organizational Impact: The Brazilian Football Federation issued a quick statement of support, signaling that this event will likely lead to a formal complaint to UEFA.

Investigative Findings

The match concluded with a Real Madrid victory, but the result has been overshadowed by the 10-minute stoppage. The following facts remain confirmed:

  • A specific racial slur was reported to the referee by Vinícius Júnior.

  • The accused player, Prestianni, covered his mouth during the exchange, making visual proof difficult.

  • UEFA rules were followed, but the incident led to multiple red cards for coaching staff members.

The next steps involve a UEFA disciplinary review. Investigators will likely look at high-definition broadcast footage and referee reports to determine if there is enough evidence to punish Gianluca Prestianni or if the case will remain a matter of conflicting verbal accounts.

Read More: How to cook Portuguese Caldeirada fish stew in 2024 using traditional layering for better taste

Information Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the referee stop the Real Madrid vs Benfica match for 10 minutes?
The referee stopped the game because Vinícius Júnior reported a racial slur from an opponent. This started the official safety rules, and the Real Madrid players walked to the side of the field to wait for 10 minutes.
Q: What did Vinícius Júnior say happened during the Champions League game?
Vinícius Júnior told the referee that Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni called him a monkey. His teammate Kylian Mbappé said he heard the bad word used 5 times during the fight on the field.
Q: Why did Jose Mourinho get a red card during the match stoppage?
Jose Mourinho received a red card because of a big fight between the coaches near the benches while the game was stopped. He argued that Vinícius Júnior caused the trouble by celebrating his goal in a way that made the fans angry.
Q: What are the UEFA rules for racial abuse during a football match?
UEFA uses a three-step rule where the referee first stops the game and tells the fans to stop. If the bad behavior continues, the referee can take the players off the pitch or end the match completely to keep them safe.
Q: Did the Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni admit to using a racial slur?
No, Gianluca Prestianni says he did not say anything racist to the other player. He covered his mouth with his shirt while talking, so the cameras could not see his lips to prove what he said.