gianluca prestianni at centre of fresh racism probe after Lisbon Champions League clash
Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior halted Tuesday night ET action in Lisbon after alleging he was racially abused by Benfica midfielder gianluca prestianni, prompting a lengthy stoppage, a public backlash and a UEFA investigation. The incident is the latest in a string of episodes in which Vinícius says he has been targeted; club figures and teammates strongly backed him while the accused player denies the allegation.
What happened in Lisbon
The first leg of the Champions League knockout playoff was paused for roughly 8–10 minutes after Vinícius celebrated an extraordinary 50th-minute goal and then signalled to the referee. The official responded with FIFA’s anti-racism protocol gesture, and play was stopped as the match officials sought clarity. Real Madrid say the player they accused was gianluca prestianni; Benfica and the player deny any racist language was used.
Eyewitnesses and teammates described a tense scene on the pitch. One Real Madrid teammate said he heard a racist term used multiple times. Benfica’s head coach suggested the celebration had provoked a reaction and referenced the club’s historic Black icon to argue that the club itself could not be racist. Those comments drew swift criticism from anti-discrimination campaigners and others who said they risked minimising the gravity of the allegation.
Vinícius has previously been subject to racist abuse on numerous occasions during his eight years at Real Madrid, and the club says this was the 20th such incident he has endured. That record shaped how the episode was received by many observers: some framed the confrontation as the latest manifestation of a long-running problem rather than an isolated flare-up.
Reactions and fallout
Reactions were immediate and polarised. Teammates voiced strong support for Vinícius, while the accused player insisted he did not utter racist insults and expressed regret for any misunderstanding. The match coach’s comments blaming the player for provoking the situation were condemned by anti-racism advocates as minimising the allegation and shifting blame onto the victim.
Outside the stadium, pundits and former officials weighed in. One high-profile commentator apologised after his on-air remarks were judged insensitive; he later said his initial reaction was wrong and that nothing justifies racism in sport. The apology underscored how charged the debate remains around how players, officials and media should respond in the heat of the moment.
For Vinícius, the incident reinforced his status as a global symbol in the fight against discrimination in football. Observers noted the difficulty Black players face when they are visible in celebration or confrontation: expressions of joy or protest can be reinterpreted as provocative, fuelling a cycle of scrutiny and criticism.
Investigation and likely timeline
European football’s governing body has opened a formal investigation and appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to gather testimony and evidence. Because of the case’s profile, officials expect the inquiry to take weeks rather than days. Disciplinary processes in past similar cases have stretched into lengthy proceedings before any sanction was applied.
With a second-leg tie scheduled next Wednesday ET, the accused player is likely to remain available for selection while the investigation continues. That possibility has raised questions about immediate sporting consequences and whether competition rules should allow for provisional measures in situations involving alleged racist conduct.
Whatever the legal or disciplinary outcome, the episode has reignited calls for clearer, faster protocols and stronger education programs to combat racism in football. It also highlighted the emotional toll on players who repeatedly report abuse, and the ongoing challenge for officials and clubs to balance swift action with due process.
The investigation will be watched closely in the coming weeks, not just for its sporting implications but for what it may reveal about how the game confronts racism when it happens on one of its biggest stages.
