UEFA has officially confirmed that it is reviewing the events of Tuesday night’s Champions League clash at the Estadio da Luz. Following Vinícius Júnior’s mid-match report of alleged racial abuse by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni, the governing body has initiated its disciplinary protocol.
The incident, which occurred immediately after Vinícius scored the match-winning goal in the 49th minute, led to an unprecedented 10-minute suspension of play as referee François Letexier activated UEFA’s anti-racism measures.
The Official Statement
As reported by Sky Sports and The Athletic, UEFA issued a brief but firm statement regarding the ongoing investigation:
“Official reports from last night’s matches are currently being reviewed. When incidents are reported, proceedings are initiated. If these lead to disciplinary sanctions, they will be announced on the UEFA disciplinary website. At this time, we have no further information or comments to provide.”
The “Evidence War”: Benfica vs. Real Madrid
As UEFA investigators begin their work, both clubs are reportedly preparing their legal dossiers. The case hinges on “lip-reading” and witness testimony, as the insults were not picked up by the referee’s microphone.
Benfica’s Defense:
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The Portuguese club is reportedly submitting unedited broadcast angles which they claim show Prestianni was not using a slur, but rather a “standard Argentine football provocation.”
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Benfica officials have argued that the reaction from the Real Madrid bench “exaggerated” the situation, putting undue pressure on the referee.
Real Madrid’s Stance:
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The Spanish giants are standing firmly behind their No. 7.
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Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham have reportedly already provided written statements to UEFA delegates, claiming they were within earshot and heard the specific terminology used by the 20-year-old winger.
The Protocol in Action
The 2025/26 season has seen a stricter implementation of the three-step anti-racism process. This match marked the first time in the current Champions League campaign that a game was halted for nearly 10 minutes.
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Step 1: The referee stops the match and an announcement is made. (Completed)
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Step 2: Players are sent to the dressing rooms if the abuse continues. (Nearly reached)
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Step 3: The match is abandoned. (Avoided)
Potential Sanctions
If found guilty, Prestianni faces a mandatory minimum suspension of 10 matches under Article 14 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations. For Benfica, sanctions could range from a partial stadium closure to a heavy financial fine for the return leg and future European fixtures.