UEFA has launched an official probe into racial abuse allegations involving Vinicius Junior and Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni. Real Madrid secured a 1-0 win in the 2026 Champions League playoff, but the night was defined by an 11-minute racism protocol stoppage and a Jose Mourinho red card.
Vinicious Jr To Get Justice After Racism Row Against Benfica? UEFA Issues Statement (Image Source: X)
UEFA just announced they're launching a formal investigation into claims that Vinicius Junior was racially abused during the Champions League playoff against Benfica on February 17, 2026. In their statement from February 18, UEFA said they've brought in an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector to look into what happened.
This comes after the match was stopped for 11 minutes in Lisbon. Vinicius accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of using a racial slur several times. Kylian Mbappé backed him up, saying he heard the word “monkey” aimed at Vinicius five times. Prestianni, for his part, went on social media to deny it all, saying people misunderstood what he said.
Now, UEFA is digging through broadcast footage and talking to witnesses. If they find Prestianni guilty under Article 14, he could get a ten-game ban. Benfica could also see part of their stadium closed for the next leg.
🚨 Kylian Mbappé: “Prestianni clearly called Vini Jr a monkey, it happened five times”.
“I saw that. UEFA have the best cameras, now we wait. This is not acceptable. It’s not my kind of human being”. pic.twitter.com/XsXCxDRpoW— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 17, 2026
Real Madrid left the Estádio da Luz with a hard-fought 1-0 win in their Champions League playoff first leg. Vinicius lit up the match in the 50th minute, weaving in from the left and curling a gorgeous shot into the top corner.
🚨 OFFICIAL UEFA STATEMENT
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) February 18, 2026
"The official reports from the matches played last night are currently being reviewed. Where matters are reported, proceedings are opened and should they lead to disciplinary sanctions being imposed, they are announced on the UEFA disciplinary website.… pic.twitter.com/O7tNSjkAls
By the end, the tension was off the chartsand Benfica boss José Mourinho got himself sent off after raging at the officials. Still, Madrid’s defence held firm. They head back to the Bernabéu with a slim but important lead, and it is very sure that the second leg on February 25 is going to be very exciting.
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