has launched an official investigation and has appointed an inspector to evaluation the reviews of ’s match at within the Champions League, which was overshadowed by claiming he was through the second half.
“A Uefa Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed to analyze allegations of discriminatory behaviour through the Uefa Champions League 2025/2026 Knock-out Play-off between Membership Benfica and Actual Madrid CF on 17 February 2026,” a press release learn. “Additional info relating to this matter will probably be made obtainable in the end.”
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The match was halted for 11 minutes, beneath Uefa’s three-step anti-racism protocol, after the Benfica participant Prestianni made a remark in the direction of Vinicius that was interpreted by the Brazilian to be a racist slur. Vinicius’s Actual Madrid team-mates, , mentioned they heard Prestianni make a racist remark.
Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni lined his mouth when chatting with Vinicius Jr (AFP through Getty Photos)
Prestianni, who lined his mouth along with his shirt whereas chatting with Vinicius, denied the accusation and mentioned the Brazilian misheard him. “I used to be by no means racist with anybody and I remorse the threats I acquired from Actual Madrid gamers,” he wrote on his Instagram account.
Vinicius celebrated in the direction of the nook flag after scoring the opening purpose of the match. He was booked by referee Francois Letexier for excessively celebrating the purpose in the direction of the Benfica supporters, earlier than he grew to become concerned within the change with Prestianni. Vinicius then went operating to the referee.
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“Racists are, above all, cowards,” Vinicius later mentioned on Instagram. “They should put their shirts of their mouths to indicate how weak they’re.”
With Actual Madrid internet hosting Benfica within the return leg of the Champions League play-off tie subsequent Wednesday, there’s an pressing want for Uefa to evaluation the proof obtainable to them.
Benfica welcomed the investigation however mentioned in a press release that Prestianni because the Portuguese membership reiterated its help of the participant.
“Benfica reiterates that it absolutely helps and believes within the model offered by the participant Gianluca Prestianni, whose conduct in service of the membership has at all times been guided by respect for opponents, establishments and the ideas that outline Benfica’s identification,” a press release mentioned. “The membership regrets the defamation marketing campaign of which the participant has been a sufferer.”
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Talking within the blended zone after the match, Mbappe mentioned he heard the incident. “He put his shirt down right here and mentioned ‘monkey, monkey, monkey, monkey, monkey’. I heard him say it, and a few Benfica gamers heard him too, after which every thing you noticed began,” the France ahead mentioned.
Federico Valverde, the Actual Madrid captain, informed Movistar Plus: “It’s unbelievable that, with dozens of cameras within the stadium that none may have caught (Prestianni’s) racial slur, however if you happen to cowl your mouth to say one thing, that claims loads. In response to my teammates who had been shut, they heard one thing very ugly.”
Benfica additionally refuted the claims of Vinicius Jr’s team-mates. In a submit on X, the Portuguese membership mentioned: “As the photographs reveal, given the space, the Actual Madrid gamers couldn’t have heard what they declare to have heard.”
In the meantime, Benfica supervisor was despatched off for protesting in the direction of the fourth official and demanding that Vinicius be proven a second yellow card following a foul later within the recreation. Mourinho was booked, after which despatched off after persevering with his remonstrations.
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Mourinho mentioned he wished to stay “unbiased” however . “In what number of stadiums has this occurred? What number of?” Mourinho mentioned. “He is an out-of- this-world participant, I really like him. However you rating a purpose like this…you permit in your teammates’ shoulders. That is the place the sport ended.”
Mbappe was notably sturdy in calling for disciplinary motion. “We can’t settle for {that a} participant in the perfect competitors in Europe behaves like this. He [ Prestianni] doesn’t should play anymore within the Champions League. However we’ll see what occurs, I don’t make these selections. We’ll let Uefa act. They’ve tried to do issues, and now there’s a critical case. And I hope they do the correct factor.”