The controversy over racism has returned to the forefront in European stadiums in the Champions League quarter-final matches, after Real Madrid's Brazilian player Vinicius Junior accused Benfica's Gianluca Pristiani of directing insulting words at him. French referee François Leuxier stopped the match for 11 minutes in the second half. Vinicius criticized the "anti-racism protocol" in the European Football Association (UEFA), considering that it is of no use. UEFA announced on Wednesday that it would “investigate allegations of discriminatory behavior” against Vinicius.

Published on: 02/18/2026 - 14:20 Last updated: 02/18/2026 - 15:18

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Vinicius Junior is again at the center of "racial insults". The Brazilian player informed French referee François Leuxier in the Champions League match between Real Madrid and Benfica in the Champions League quarter-final match that he had received racist and offensive statements from Portuguese player Gianluca Priestiani.

He said he called him a "monkey." Which made the referee stop the match for 11 minutes in the second half. This came just moments after the 25-year-old player scored a goal that decided the confrontation for the Spanish team.

Read also: Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Dortmund, and Galatasaray are approaching the Champions League final

Vinicius wrote on his Instagram account, referring to Pristiani’s hiding his mouth with his shirt during the argument between them, “Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to cover their mouths with their shirts to show how weak they are.”

He called me a "monkey"

He added: "But in addition to that, they enjoy the protection of others who are theoretically supposed to be obligated to deliver punishment," indicating that no concrete action has been taken against the Argentine midfielder.

He continued: "Nothing that happened today should be tolerated in my life or the life of my family. I do not like to speak in such situations, especially after a big win that should be headlined by Real Madrid news, but it is necessary."

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Vinicius had angered Benfica fans and some of its players after the goal he scored in the 50th minute, and he celebrated it in front of the local stands.

After his dispute with Pristiani, Vinicius ran to Leutixier and told him, after he received a yellow card for celebrating, that the Argentine player called him “Mono” (monkey in Spanish).

Pristiani denies and Mourinho doubts

In turn, Pristiani wrote on his social media accounts, “I would like to clarify that at no point did I direct racist insults to the player Vinicius Junior, who unfortunately misunderstood what he thought he heard. I was never racist, and I am sorry for the threats I received from Real Madrid players.”

Benfica re-published its player’s statement, commenting, “Together, by your side.”

Benfica coach Jose Mourinho confirmed that Pristiani denied directing any racist abuse. Vinicius was criticized for provoking Benfica players and fans with his celebration.

"When you score a goal like this, you have to celebrate in a respectful way," Mourinho said.

The Portuguese was sent off late for strongly protesting that Vinicius should be sent off with a second card.

He added, "There is something wrong, because in every stadium where Vinicius plays, something always happens."

Previous incidents with Vinicius

Indeed, the brown Brazilian often complained in Spanish League and continental matches about being subjected to offensive expressions, most famously when he quarreled with Valencia fans during a match with the royal team in May 2023 after he said that he had been subjected to racist abuse.

In June 2025, suspended prison sentences were issued against 4 Atletico Madrid fans after they hung a doll resembling him on a bridge in a “hate crime,” among other convictions.

UEFA opens an investigation into “discriminatory behaviour”

For his part, French Real Madrid top scorer Kylian Mbappe called for Pristiani's suspension: "We cannot accept that there is a player participating in the best competition in Europe and behaving like this. This player does not deserve to play in the Champions League again."

Mbappe continued: “We have to be a role model for all the children watching us in their homes. What happened today is unacceptable, the world is watching us. When someone behaves in this way, we must raise our voice and denounce this behavior. I have nothing against Benfica, the club, its fans or its coach.

But something must be done. We cannot accept a player in Europe's most important football competition behaving like this. This is my opinion, and I don't know what will happen. I am not the decision maker. The European Union (UEFA) is trying to take action against racism, and I think it should intervene after what happened here today.”

On the other hand, the European Football Association (UEFA) announced on Wednesday that it would “investigate allegations of discriminatory behavior” after Real Madrid’s Brazilian striker Vinicius Junior accused Benfica’s Argentine striker Gianluca Pristiani of directing racist abuse at him.

What is the UEFA Anti-Racism Protocol and why did Vinicius criticize it?

Vinicius attacked UEFA's anti-racism protocol, saying, "I received a yellow card for celebrating the goal, and I still do not understand the reason."

The UEFA Anti-Racism Protocol, in Article 45 of its Safety and Security Law, stipulates that, in the event of racist incidents, the referee documents the incident and announces it with a crossed arms signal, and the referee is the one who decides to stop the match.

The attacked player, team captain, or technical staff has the right to use the same signal to inform the referee, who remains the final decision maker to stop play.

In the first stage, the referee must stop play and warn the fans. In the second, the match is suspended for a period of time if racist chants from the audience continue. As for the third stage, the match can be stopped permanently after communicating with security officials in the stadium if the racist behavior of the fans does not stop.

In this case, the team responsible for the racism loses the match and is held responsible for the incidents.

As for players who are convicted of racist behavior, they are punished by being banned from playing for ten matches.

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