Real Madrid release statement on alleged racist abuse directed at Vinicius Junior

Real Madrid have formally entered the fray over the alleged racist abuse aimed at Vinicius Junior during Tuesday night’s Champions League victory against Benfica, confirming that the club has supplied UEFA with all available evidence and will continue to cooperate fully with the governing body’s investigation.

The flash-point occurred inside the Estádio da Luz when the forward informed referee Clément Turpin that Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni had called him a monkey. The match official immediately invoked UEFA’s anti-racism protocol, and European football’s disciplinary arm opened proceedings the next morning. If the 19-year-old Portuguese youth international is found guilty, he faces a mandatory suspension of at least ten matches under article 14 of UEFA’s disciplinary regulations; Prestianni and Benfica have both protested his innocence.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Spanish giants said:

“Real Madrid C. F. announces that today it has submitted all available evidence to UEFA regarding the incidents that occurred last Tuesday, February 17, during the Champions League match our team played in Lisbon against SL Benfica. Our club has actively collaborated with the investigation opened by UEFA following the unacceptable episodes of racism experienced during that match. Real Madrid appreciates the unanimous support, backing, and affection that our player Vinicius Jr. has received from all areas of the global football community. Real Madrid will continue working, in collaboration with all institutions, to eradicate racism, violence, and hate in sports and society.”

Manager Álvaro Arbeloa backed his player unequivocally after the final whistle, saying the squad would have followed Vinicius off the pitch had he chosen to walk. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Aurélien Tchouaméni voiced similar solidarity, while Kylian Mbappé went further, claiming he heard the slur himself and demanding that Prestianni be excluded from the remainder of the competition.

UEFA’s investigation is ongoing, with no timetable yet set for a disciplinary verdict.