Actual Madrid’s Champions League knockout play-off tie at Benfica was halted for 10 minutes after Vinicius Jr initially refused to play on following a remark made to him by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni.
Vinicius Jr had simply given Actual the lead when he was confronted by Prestianni, who pulled his shirt up over his mouth earlier than saying one thing to the Madrid striker.
Vinicius Jr ran to talk to match referee Francois Letexier, who instantly stopped the sport.
Following Vinicius Jr’s criticism, the referee responded by crossing his arms in entrance of his face, activating FIFA’s anti-racism protocol and briefly stopping the match.
Vinicius Jr speaks to referee Francois Letexier after Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni appeared to make a remark in direction of him
Benfica coach Jose Mourinho was seen making an attempt to console a visibly upset Vinicius Jr and a member of the Benfica teaching workers was proven a crimson card throughout the prolonged stoppage.
After a variety of discussions between gamers, coaches and the referee, play then resumed.
Actual Madrid held on to win 1-0, with Mourinho additionally despatched off for a separate incident, however there was an additional quick delay late in stoppage time when followers threw objects as Vinicius Jr was trying to take a nook kick.
“Racists are, above all, cowards,” Vinicius Jr posted on his Instagram story post-match.
“They should put their shirts over their mouths to show how weak they’re.
“However they’ve, on their aspect, the safety of others who, theoretically, have the duty to punish. Nothing that occurred right here at this time was new in my life and my household’s.
“I acquired a yellow card for celebrating a purpose. I nonetheless do not perceive why. Then again, only a poorly executed protocol that served no function. I do not like showing in conditions like this, much more so after an important victory and when the headlines should be about Actual Madrid, nevertheless it’s obligatory.”
Prestianni has but to touch upon the incident.
Vinicius Jr’s team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold instructed Amazon Prime after the sport: “I am unable to remark an excessive amount of as there’s in all probability an ongoing investigation.
“What’s occurred tonight is a shame to soccer. It is overshadowed the efficiency, particularly after such an incredible purpose.
“Vini has been subjected to this a number of instances all through his profession, there is no place for it in soccer or society. It is disgusting.”
Benfica boss Mourinho additionally spoke to Amazon Prime, claiming Vinicius Jr incited the group and his gamers because of the method of his celebration, however mentioned he wished to “be impartial” on the incident as Vinicius Jr and Prestianni “instructed him various things”.
Mourinho mentioned: “I instructed [Vinicius Jr] – once you rating a purpose like that, you simply rejoice and stroll again. When he was arguing about racism, I instructed him the most important individual [Eusebio] within the historical past of this membership was black.
“This membership, the very last thing that it’s, is racist.”
Referee Francois Letexier crosses his arms to activate the anti-racism protocol and briefly cease the match
Actual Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa instructed Amazon Prime: “You need to ask Benfica’s gamers [about it].
“Everybody can see what occurred with Prestianni, he put the shirt over his mouth. You need to ask him.
“What Vini mentioned will not be necessary, we have to battle in opposition to racism in soccer. We assist Vini after all.”
On the objects thrown at Vinicius Jr, Alexander-Arnold mentioned: “It is a hostile surroundings, perhaps they had been upset with the best way Vini celebrated. I do not know what set them off like that. Like I mentioned, hostile surroundings. We’re used to it as a group. We take the win, return residence and play once more.”
Vinicius Jnr has spoken out beforehand about repeated racist abuse he has suffered, saying in 2024 that he felt “much less and fewer” like enjoying soccer due to the abuse. In that very same 12 months, three Valencia followers had been sentenced to eight months in jail for racially abusing him at a match in Might 2023.
In the meantime, 5 individuals had been handed suspended jail sentences in 2025 for racially abusing Vinicius in an “unprecedented” ruling in Spain. The incident occurred throughout Actual Madrid’s match in opposition to Actual Valladolid in September 2022.
‘Surprising, disgraceful, upsetting’
Each day Mirror soccer journalist John Cross talking on Again Pages Tonight:
“It is really stunning and disgraceful – fully upsetting. I am unable to consider in 2026 that soccer hasn’t received a deal with on this. Think about in case you are Vinicius Jnr – a genius and who has simply scored an unimaginable purpose.
“This could shine a lightweight and disgrace soccer. Robust motion have to be taken in opposition to the perpetrators. In a World Cup 12 months a robust message must be despatched out.”
