Vinicius Jr Racism: Prestianni Accusations – Champions League

A Champions League playoff match between Real Madrid and Benfica was temporarily halted on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, following allegations of racist abuse directed at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. The incident occurred after Vinicius Jr. Scored the opening goal in the 50th minute.

The Incident at the Estadio da Luz

Following his goal celebration in front of Benfica fans at the Estadio da Luz, Vinicius Jr. Was targeted with objects thrown from the crowd. A subsequent exchange with Benfica players, including Gianluca Prestianni, who covered his mouth with his shirt, led Vinicius Jr. To approach referee Francois Letexier. He appeared to point towards Prestianni, prompting Letexier to invoke FIFA’s ‘No Racism Gesture’ by crossing his arms in an X shape.

Did You Know? FIFA’s ‘No Racism Gesture’ was unanimously approved at the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 17, 2024.

The game was paused for approximately 10 minutes during the incident. During the stoppage, Vinicius Jr. Sat on the Madrid bench, while Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho spoke with the Real Madrid player. A Benfica staff member was also sent off. Play resumed with Vinicius Jr. Being booed by the home fans, and later, Federico Valverde appeared to mimic a monkey gesture to the referee.

Player Reactions and Condemnation

Vinicius Jr. Posted on Instagram, stating, “Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts over their mouths to show how weak they are.” He also noted that such incidents were not new to him or his family. Trent Alexander-Arnold, a teammate of Vinicius Jr., called the incident a “disgrace to football,” and Kylian Mbappe stated, “something has to be done” and that “what happened today is more important than football.” Mbappe reported hearing Prestianni say “Vinicius is a monkey, five times.”

Expert Insight: The immediate reactions from players highlight the growing frustration with the continued presence of racism in football. The willingness of players to speak out, and even consider halting play, demonstrates a shift towards prioritizing ethical concerns over the continuation of a sporting event.

Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho stated that Prestianni denied making any racist remarks.

Potential Next Steps

Referee Letexier will submit a report of the match to UEFA. UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body will then determine if an investigation will be opened. Should Prestianni be found guilty of racist conduct, UEFA guidelines state a minimum suspension of ten matches, alongside mandatory awareness programs for the club. It is also possible that further disciplinary action could be taken against Benfica as an institution.

A Recurring Issue for Vinicius Jr.

This incident is not isolated. Vinicius Jr. Has been the target of racist abuse on multiple occasions, including incidents involving Atletico Madrid and Valencia fans in 2023, and most recently, during a Copa del Rey match against Albacete earlier this month when a banana was thrown at him.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is FIFA’s ‘No Racism Gesture’?

FIFA’s ‘No Racism Gesture’ involves players crossing their hands at the wrists to signal to the referee that they are being targeted by racist abuse, prompting a three-step procedure to address the situation.

What happened after the game resumed?

After a 10-minute delay, the game resumed, but Vinicius Jr. Was booed by the home fans whenever he touched the ball. Later in the half, Federico Valverde also appeared to mimic a monkey gesture to the referee.

What was the final result of the match?

Real Madrid won the match 1-0, with Vinicius Jr. Scoring the only goal, but the result was overshadowed by the allegations of racist abuse.

As incidents like these continue to surface, what steps can be taken to create a truly inclusive and respectful environment for all athletes and fans?