Vinicius Junior was at the center of a racism incident during Real Madrid’s Champions League knockout play-off against Benfica. The match at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon was interrupted for 10 minutes after the Brazilian forward reported alleged racist abuse from Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni.
The incident occurred shortly after Vinicius Junior had given Real Madrid a 1-0 lead in the second half with a brilliant strike. However, following an interaction with Prestianni, Vinicius gestured to the referee, Francois Letexier, claiming that he had been subjected to racist taunts from the Benfica winger.
The Moment of Tension
After scoring, Vinicius was booked for an excessive celebration. However, his frustration grew after the confrontation with Prestianni, leading to him approaching the referee with a clear gesture indicating his complaint.
Vinicius immediately ran towards Letexier to report the incident, gesturing to Prestianni as he made his claim. The referee then signaled a halt to the game, making the crossed arms gesture, which is used to signify racist abuse following a conversation with Vinicius.
Referee’s Decision and Match Delay
The game was halted for 10 minutes while Vinicius and his teammates left the pitch for discussions. Francois Letexier engaged with Vinicius to investigate the matter, and the Real Madrid forward confirmed that he had been racially abused by Prestianni.
A statement from Real Madrid later confirmed Vinicius Junior’s report, calling for swift action and solidarity against racism in football. The incident cast a shadow over the match, with tensions running high among players, fans, and officials.
Return to Play and Benfica’s Response
After the 10-minute stoppage, the match resumed, but Benfica’s crowd and some players continued to show signs of frustration. Real Madrid maintained focus, with the match eventually concluding in a hard-fought 1-0 victory for the visitors.
The incident is another addition to the troubling racism problem in football, with Vinicius Junior becoming a target on multiple occasions in the past. The Brazilian forward has previously spoken out about the need for football to take stronger action against racism.
Vinicius’ Stand and FIFA’s Reaction
In a post-match interview, Vinicius Junior reiterated that he would continue to speak out against racism both on and off the pitch. His commitment to fighting this injustice has made him a key figure in the ongoing battle to eradicate racism in football.
Meanwhile, FIFA has promised to investigate the matter further, with potential sanctions for the offending player and club, depending on the results of the inquiry.
Real Madrid’s Continued Commitment to Combating Racism
Real Madrid also issued a strong statement expressing their full support for Vinicius Junior. The club reiterated their commitment to combat racism and urged UEFA and football authorities to take stronger measures to ensure such incidents do not occur again.
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