Champions League Match Marred by Allegations

A Champions League playoff match between Real Madrid and Benfica has been overshadowed by accusations of racist abuse leveled against Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni by Real Madrid’s Vinicius Júnior. The incident occurred during Real Madrid’s 1-0 victory in Lisbon on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, and led to a 10-minute stoppage in play.

Vinicius Júnior reported the alleged abuse to referee François Letexier. Prestianni has denied the accusations.

FIFA Commission Member Advocates for Stricter Penalties

Mikaël Silvestre, a member of a FIFA commission against racism, is calling for sanctions against players who cover their mouths while speaking on the field, believing it could be a tactic to conceal racist remarks.

“Our WhatsApp group was on fire last night, and even this morning,”

Mikaël Silvestre

Silvestre explained that the commission, which includes figures like George Weah and Didier Drogba, is exploring ways to penalize this behavior.

“We are trying to find a way to penalize players who talk while covering their mouth. It’s one thing to discuss tactics with your teammates or have a casual chat, but there was clearly hatred between the players, especially from one of them. This type of behavior must be punished. This takes time as we have to discuss with the referees what they can and cannot do. So it’s a work in progress, but everyone is aware of the problem.”

Mikaël Silvestre

Statements from Players and Clubs

Following the match, Vinicius Júnior posted on Instagram, Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to cover their mouths with their shirts to reveal how weak they are.. Prestianni responded with a social media post denying the allegations, stating he never been racist towards anyone.

Benfica defended Prestianni, stating, As the images demonstrate, given the distance, the Real Madrid players could not have heard what they claim to have heard..

Investigation Underway

UEFA has launched an official investigation into the incident, appointing a special investigator to gather evidence. Prestianni could face a 10-match ban if found guilty of racial abuse.

FAQ

• What prompted the investigation? Vinicius Júnior reported alleged racist abuse by Gianluca Prestianni during a Champions League match.
• What is Prestianni’s response? Prestianni denies directing any racist insults towards Vinicius Júnior.
• What is FIFA considering? Penalties for players who cover their mouths while speaking on the field.