BY EPHRAME FESTUS
Real Madrid’s Champions League play-off victory over Benfica was overshadowed by controversy after Vinicius Junior accused Gianluca Prestianni of racially abusing him. The Brazilian forward, who scored the only goal of the game, reported that Prestianni had called him “mono” — the Spanish word for monkey — sparking outrage across the footballing world.
The incident forced referee Francois Letexier to halt the match for more than ten minutes while UEFA’s racism protocol was implemented. During that tense pause, emotions ran high both on the pitch and in the stands, with Benfica fans throwing projectiles and clashes erupting between the benches. The stoppage highlighted once again the persistent issue of racism in football and the difficulty of maintaining order when such allegations arise.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, formerly of Liverpool, condemned the abuse in the strongest terms, describing it as “disgusting” and “a disgrace for football.” His words captured the outrage felt by many players and fans who believe the sport continues to fail in protecting its stars from racial hostility. France captain Kylian Mbappe echoed this sentiment, calling for Prestianni to be banned from the Champions League altogether. “We cannot accept a player behaving like this in Europe’s best competition,” Mbappe insisted, underscoring the demand for harsher sanctions.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid captain Federico Valverde praised Vinicius for his composure, saying he was proud of how the forward handled himself despite the abuse. Valverde noted that teammates nearby confirmed hearing something “ugly” from Prestianni, and pointed out that the Argentine covered his mouth with his jersey before speaking — a gesture Valverde interpreted as an attempt to conceal inappropriate language.
Benfica coach Jose Mourinho, however, defended his player, insisting Prestianni denied the accusation and criticizing Vinicius for inciting fans with his celebration. Mourinho argued that the Brazilian’s exuberant goal celebration provoked hostility, suggesting that Vinicius bears some responsibility for the chaos that followed. His comments reflect a defensive tone, contrasting sharply with the condemnation voiced by others.
This latest episode adds to a troubling pattern. Vinicius has repeatedly been targeted with racial abuse in Spain, including incidents at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium and from Atletico Madrid ultras who hung a dummy of him from a bridge in what police deemed a hate crime. Despite convictions in some cases, the recurrence of such abuse raises questions about whether football’s governing bodies are doing enough to protect players and enforce accountability.
The night in Lisbon was meant to showcase Vinicius’s brilliance, with his stunning goal securing Real Madrid’s advantage in the tie. Instead, it became another reminder of the ugly persistence of racism in football — a spectacle marred by confrontation, denial, and outrage.
