Threat Storm After Vinícius Defence

A fresh controversy has erupted in European football following allegations of online abuse and death threats directed at former Dutch international Wesley Sneijder, who claims he has received approximately 4,000 death threats after speaking out against alleged racist behaviour in the UEFA Champions League.

The incident stems from the play-off first-leg clash between Real Madrid and Benfica, where Real secured a narrow 1–0 victory. During the match, Brazilian forward Vinícius Júnior became embroiled in a heated exchange near the corner flag with Benfica’s Argentine winger Gianluca Prestianni.

According to reports from players on the pitch, the altercation escalated into alleged racist abuse. Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni indicated that Vinícius informed teammates he had been called a “monkey”, while Kylian Mbappé reportedly claimed the slur was repeated multiple times. The allegations prompted an investigation by UEFA, which imposed a provisional one-match suspension on Prestianni. His appeal was unsuccessful, forcing him to sit out the return leg.

Sneijder, now a television pundit in the Netherlands, publicly condemned the alleged conduct. He argued that if players have something to say on the pitch, they should do so openly rather than concealing their identity. More pointedly, he denounced the continued use of racist language in football, calling it “deeply disgraceful”.

However, his remarks appear to have triggered a wave of online backlash, particularly from Argentina. Sneijder stated, “It is a terrible situation. Over the past week, I have received around 4,000 death threats from Argentina. Everyone is entitled to an opinion—including those criticising me—but threats of violence cross a clear line.”

He further intensified debate by questioning how Prestianni’s Black teammates might perceive the alleged remarks, a comment that added fuel to an already volatile situation.

Below is a summary of the key developments:

This episode highlights the persistent challenge of racism in football, despite years of campaigns and sanctions aimed at eradicating discrimination from the sport. It also underscores a growing secondary concern: the rise of online abuse directed not only at players but also at commentators and former professionals who speak out.

As governing bodies continue their investigations, the incident serves as a stark reminder that football’s fight against racism extends far beyond the pitch—and that meaningful cultural change remains an ongoing battle.