FIFA President Gianni Infantino has issued a firm condemnation following allegations of racist abuse directed at Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior during the UEFA Champions League knockout playoff first-leg match against Benfica on February 17, 2026, at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon.
Real Madrid secured a 1-0 victory thanks to Vinícius’s second-half goal, but the result was overshadowed by the incident that unfolded shortly after his strike.
Vinícius, who has faced repeated racist abuse throughout his career in Europe, celebrated his 50th-minute goal near the corner flag in front of Benfica fans, drawing a booking for his actions and provoking an angry reaction from the home crowd, who threw objects toward the pitch.
Moments later, a confrontation erupted with Benfica’s 20-year-old Argentine forward Gianluca Prestianni. Prestianni reportedly pulled his jersey over his mouth while speaking to Vinícius, an action captured on camera that fueled suspicions.
Vinícius immediately approached French referee François Letexier, alleging that Prestianni had used a racial slur—specifically calling him “mono” (Spanish for “monkey”). The referee responded by crossing his arms in front of his face, activating UEFA’s three-step anti-racism protocol (originally introduced in 2013 when Infantino served as UEFA general secretary).
This led to a nearly 10-minute halt in play as the situation was addressed on the field, with Vinícius briefly walking to the sideline before the match resumed.
Infantino, reacting swiftly via statements shared on FIFA’s official channels including Instagram and X, expressed profound dismay. He stated that he was shocked and saddened to learn of the alleged racism targeting Vinícius Júnior in the match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid CF.
He stressed that there is absolutely no room for racism in football or in society more broadly, urging all stakeholders—governing bodies, clubs, players, and others—to take decisive action and ensure full accountability for those responsible.
The FIFA president specifically commended referee Letexier for promptly implementing the protocol through the recognized arm gesture, which stopped the game and allowed the issue to be handled.
Infantino reaffirmed FIFA’s unwavering commitment to protecting players, officials, and fans from discrimination, promising that appropriate measures would be enforced in such cases. He extended full solidarity to victims of racism and any form of discrimination, reinforcing the organization’s zero-tolerance policy.
UEFA responded by appointing an ethics and disciplinary inspector to formally investigate the allegations of discriminatory behavior, reviewing match reports, video evidence, and official statements. If Prestianni is found guilty under UEFA rules, he could face a minimum 10-match ban from European competitions.
Prestianni has strongly denied the claims, stating on social media that he never directed racist insults at Vinícius, suggesting the Brazilian may have misinterpreted what was said, and expressing regret over threats he reportedly received from Real Madrid players. Benfica has supported this position, describing the accusations as part of a “defamation campaign” against their player.
Benfica coach José Mourinho faced significant backlash, including accusations of “gaslighting” from anti-discrimination group Kick It Out, after he suggested Vinícius had provoked the incident with his celebration and remarked that Benfica “is not racist,” pointing to the club’s history including legendary Black player Eusébio. Mourinho’s comments drew criticism for appearing dismissive of the allegations.
Vinícius later addressed the matter on Instagram, declaring that racists are, above all, cowards who hide their actions—often by covering their mouths—and need to expose their weakness. Real Madrid teammates, including Kylian Mbappé, reportedly backed Vinícius’s account, with some claiming to have overheard repeated offensive remarks.
The episode has once again spotlighted the persistent problem of racism in football, particularly for Black players like Vinícius, who has been at the center of similar controversies in La Liga and beyond. The return leg in Madrid is scheduled for the following week, with the investigation expected to continue over the coming weeks.