Racism Allegations Against Vinicius Junior Ignite Football Debate and UEFA Investigation
Vinicius Junior’s racial abuse allegations during a Champions League match have sparked criticism, support, and a UEFA investigation.
- • Vinicius Junior was racially insulted during Real Madrid's Champions League win over Benfica.
- • UEFA has launched an investigation into the incident involving Argentine player Gianluca Prestianni.
- • Pep Guardiola called education the key to fighting racism, while Vincent Kompany criticized José Mourinho’s remarks.
- • Luis Enrique and Filipe Luís faced backlash for downplaying the racism allegations.
- • Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé and others publicly supported Vinicius, highlighting ongoing racism issues in football.
Key details
During a recent Champions League match where Real Madrid defeated Benfica 1-0, Brazilian footballer Vinicius Junior was subjected to racial insults, reportedly being called "mono" (monkey) by Argentine player Gianluca Prestianni. The incident has prompted UEFA to open an official investigation, while sparking extensive debate across the football community.
Key figures have weighed in with varied responses. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola emphasized that education is paramount in fighting racism, suggesting that schools should take precedence over football when addressing societal issues. Guardiola noted, "Racism is about behaviors, not skin color," and advocated for better teacher compensation to help tackle discrimination.
Conversely, Vincent Kompany, Bayern Munich's head coach, condemned remarks by Benfica's coach José Mourinho, who had downplayed Vinicius's reaction to scoring. Kompany stated Mourinho’s comments undermined the Brazilian player’s character and highlighted the historic struggles faced by Black athletes. On the other hand, Paris Saint-Germain’s Luis Enrique dismissed the racism discussion as insignificant, drawing criticism for minimization.
In Brazil, Flamengo’s coach Filipe Luís initially referred to the incident as an "isolated case" but later clarified, condemning racism as a crime that deserves firm treatment. Flamengo player Danilo also urged white individuals to listen and empathize with victims of racial discrimination. Marcelo Carvalho, director of the Observatório da Discriminação Racial no Futebol, stressed the necessity to recognize systemic racism in football, pointing out that Vinicius has faced over 20 racist incidents throughout his career.
Prestianni has admitted to using a homophobic slur against Vinicius but denied racial abuse. However, Real Madrid captain Kylian Mbappé reported hearing racial slurs directed at Vinicius multiple times during the match.
UEFA's disciplinary regulations mandate at least a ten-match suspension for racial insults, which also applies to homophobic offenses, signaling that sanctions could be severe if allegations are confirmed. This controversy has revitalized conversations about combating racism in football and the need for stronger measures to eradicate discrimination from the sport.
As of February 21, 2026, UEFA continues its investigation, while football personalities and fans worldwide await further developments on this critical issue.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (2)
Source comparison
Details of the incident
Sources report different claims about what was said to Vinicius Junior.
oglobo.globo.com
"Vinicius Junior was called 'mono' (monkey) by Argentine player Gianluca Prestianni."
correiobraziliense.com.br
"Prestianni admitted to using a homophobic slur against Vinicius but denied using a racist term."
Why this matters: One source states that Vinicius was called 'mono' (monkey), while the other mentions a homophobic slur but denies a racist term was used. This discrepancy affects the understanding of the nature and severity of the incident.