UEFA to investigate alleged racist abuse of ViniciusAFP, PARISUEFA on Wednesday said that it would “investigate allegations of discriminatory behavior” after Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior accused SL Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of racially abusing him during a UEFA Champions League match in Lisbon. Tuesday’s first leg of the playoff was stopped for 10 minutes after Vinicius complained to French referee Francois Letexier about the alleged abuse following a confrontation between him and Prestianni. Real Madrid`s Vinicius Junior with Benfica coach Jose Mourinho as the match was stopped due to racist chants. Photo: ReutersAfter arguing with Prestianni, Vinicius ran over to the referee and told him he had been called mono, the Spanish word for monkey, by the Argentine midfielder. “Focusing on Vinicius Jr’s goal celebration or the history of the club, instead of acknowledging the report, is a form of gaslighting.

Source: Taipei Times February 19, 2026 16:09 UTC