‘UEFA to investigate Benfica social media activity after Vinicius Junior’s racism allegation’
UEFA are set to launch an investigation into Benfica for a post from their official X account after Vinicius Junior was subject to alleged racist abuse during Tuesday’s Champions League clash.
That is according to former FIFA referee and ex-PMGOL chief Keith Hackett, who has exclusively told Football Insider that the governing body of European football will be keen to “interrogate” the Portuguese giants for their activity on social media.
The incident occurred during Real Madrid’s 1-0 win at Estadio da Luz in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie, with Vinicius netting the only goal in the 50th minute, while also being booked for his celebration in front of the Benfica fans.
However, the Brazilian forward was then subject to an alleged racist comment from Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni moments before play resumed after his goal, with footage showing the Argentine winger speaking with his shirt pulled over his mouth.
Benfica shared a video of the incident on their X account after the game, and accompanied it with the caption: “As the images demonstrate, given the distance, the Real Madrid players could not have heard what they claim to have heard.”
Keith Hackett reacts to Benfica footage
Benfica’s view of the incident has garnered plenty of attention on X since they posted it in the early hours of Wednesday morning, and the video has now amassed over 26million views on that platform alone.
Prestianni received no punishment from referee Francois Letexier at the time, and has since denied making any remarks of a racist nature, while several of Vinicius’ teammates have revealed that they also heard what was said.
The game was halted for 10 minutes after the incident took place, but Benfica have continued to reiterate their support for Prestianni, and are adamant that there was nothing of a racist nature in his comments.
Hackett has now suggested that Benfica’s stance will be explored further by UEFA after they also pointed towards Portuguese legend Eusebio’s career with the club as a reason for their player’s innocence.
“I would have hoped that the seriousness of this incident could be dealt with by UEFA so they can fully interrogate what took place,” the former referee exclusively told Football Insider.
“The comments by Benfica highlight that in their history, the great Eusebio was one of their players. That was then, and it is important that all players, despite the rivalry, respect each other.
“UEFA will take their comments into account, but this is a sad incident for football.”
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What has Jose Mourinho said about the incident?
Benfica manager Jose Mourinho has also come under fire for his comments in the aftermath of the incident, as he picked fault with Vinicius’ celebration for his goal.
The 63-year-old also pointed towards previous allegations of racial abuse that have come from the Real Madrid forward, and his comments have quickly been denounced by Kick It Out, who have accused the former Chelsea chief of “gaslighting,” according to The Guardian.
Mourinho told Amazon Prime after the game: “When you score a goal like that you just celebrate and walk back.’ They [Vinícius and Prestianni] told me different things. But I don’t believe in one or another. I want to be independent.
“There is something wrong because it happens in every stadium. A stadium where Vinícius plays, something happens, always.”
The incident has received plenty of attention in the aftermath of the game, and it will now be up to UEFA to decide whether any punishments are inflicted on Benfica or Prestianni.