benfica vs real madrid: Mourinho criticised for reaction after Vinicius Jr alleges racist abuse
Real Madrid's Champions League first-leg meeting with Benfica was interrupted when Vinicius Junior reported alleged racial abuse by a Benfica player, triggering a 10-minute stoppage and a fast-escalating controversy that has drawn criticism of Benfica's handling of the incident and of manager Jose Mourinho's public remarks.
Match halted after alleged abuse; player denies claim
The tie was stopped in the second half after Vinicius told the referee he had been racially abused by Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni. The incident occurred after the Brazilian forward celebrated a goal and was confronted by opposition players; cameras captured Vinicius informing the match official, who invoked the anti-discrimination protocol and paused play for around 10 minutes while tensions were managed at the Estadio da Luz.
Prestianni has denied using a racist slur and said the encounter was misinterpreted. He covered his mouth with his shirt during the exchange, an action that drew attention and raised questions about what was actually said on the field. Real Madrid team-mate Kylian Mbappe and others indicated they heard the exchange, further fuelling the dispute in the stadium and in the hours that followed.
Club responses and Mourinho's comments spark condemnation
Benfica initially issued a terse 21-word statement late on the same evening, dismissing the allegations; later the club released a longer response defending Prestianni and describing what it called a "defamation campaign" against the player. The club also invoked its historical commitment to equality and pointed to club legend Eusebio when rejecting claims that the institution is racist.
That defence, and Mourinho's subsequent public comments, prompted immediate backlash. The manager suggested Vinicius' celebration—danced in front of Benfica fans—had provoked reactions and implied the forward had played a part in inciting the crowd. Those remarks were widely criticised by former players and pundits, some of whom called the comments misplaced and unhelpful at a moment when sensitivities around racism in football are high.
Vinicius himself posted a message on social media condemning racism and describing the incident as another in a pattern he has faced. The Brazilian Football Confederation expressed solidarity with the player and praised his decision to activate the anti-racism protocol, calling racism a crime that must not exist in football or elsewhere. Anti-discrimination campaigners also criticised the club's initial handling of the allegation and urged a clearer, more robust response.
Investigation, potential sanctions and what happens next
European football's governing body has opened a formal investigation and appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to examine the incident. Regulations state that any player found guilty of racist conduct faces a minimum suspension of 10 matches, and the inquiry is expected to take several weeks rather than days. That timeline means Prestianni could remain available for selection for the second leg, currently scheduled for February 25, while the probe proceeds.
The incident has reignited broader debate about how referees, clubs and governing bodies handle allegations of discrimination during matches. A former referee's comment that Vinicius made the situation "difficult" for the official has also been criticised, with many arguing that focus must remain on robustly addressing racist behaviour rather than questioning the player who raised the complaint.
With tensions high and the investigation underway, the fixture's sporting outcome is now intertwined with a highly charged off-field discussion about racism, institutional responsibility and the language used by prominent figures in football. The case will be watched closely for its legal and disciplinary consequences as well as its wider impact on the sport's efforts to tackle discrimination.
