Real 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 comment made to him by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni.Vinicius Jr had just given Real the lead when he was confronted by Prestianni, who pulled his shirt up over his mouth before saying something to the Madrid striker.Vinicius Jr ran to speak to match referee Francois Letexier, who immediately stopped the game.Following Vinicius Jr’s complaint, the referee responded by crossing his arms in front of his face, activating FIFA’s anti-racism protocol and temporarily stopping the match.
Image:
Vinicius Jr speaks to referee Francois Letexier after Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni appeared to make a comment towards him
Benfica coach Jose Mourinho was seen trying to console a visibly upset Vinicius Jr and a member of the Benfica coaching staff was shown a red card during the lengthy stoppage.After a number of discussions between players, coaches and the referee, play then resumed.Real Madrid held on to win 1-0, with Mourinho also sent off for a separate incident, but there was a further short delay late in stoppage time when fans threw objects as Vinicius Jr was attempting to take a corner kick.Vinicius Jr’s team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold told Amazon Prime after the game: “I can’t comment too much as there is probably an ongoing investigation.”What’s happened tonight is a disgrace to football. It’s overshadowed the performance, especially after such an amazing goal.”Vini has been subjected to this a few times throughout his career, there’s no place for it in football or society. It’s disgusting.”Benfica boss Mourinho also spoke to Amazon Prime, claiming Vinicius Jr incited the crowd and his players due to the manner of his celebration, but said he wanted to “be independent” on the incident as Vinicius Jr and Prestianni “told him different things”.Mourinho said: “I told [Vinicius Jr] – when you score a goal like that, you just celebrate and walk back. When he was arguing about racism, I told him the biggest person [Eusebio] in the history of this club was black.”This club, the last thing that it is, is racist.”
Image:
Referee Francois Letexier crosses his arms to activate FIFA’s anti-racism protocol and temporarily stop the match
Real Madrid coach…
2026-02-17 21:41:00
