UEFA Investigates Racist Abuse Claims Against Vinícius Júnior

European football’s governing body, UEFA, has formally launched an investigation into allegations of racist abuse directed at Real Madrid’s Brazilian star, Vinícius Júnior. The organisation confirmed on Wednesday that an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed to lead the probe following a volatile Champions League encounter at the Estádio da Luz.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, 17 February, during Real Madrid’s 1-0 victory over SL Benfica. The flashpoint was ignited shortly after the second half commenced, moments after Vinícius had scored the match-winning goal. The Brazilian forward immediately approached the referee, claiming he had been subjected to racial slurs, prompting an unprecedented mid-match protest.

Eleven Minutes of Turmoil

Adhering to anti-discrimination protocols, the referee halted play as the Real Madrid squad walked off the pitch in a show of solidarity with their teammate. The match was suspended for 11 minutes before resuming, a delay that underscored the gravity of the accusations.

The primary target of the allegations is Benfica’s Argentine winger, Gianluca Prestianni. Television footage from the broadcast shows Prestianni pulling his jersey over his mouth while speaking to Vinícius, a gesture often used by players to conceal their words from lip-readers.

"Racists are, above all, cowards," Vinícius later wrote in a poignant statement on social media, referencing his long-standing battle against systemic prejudice in European football.

Accusations and Potential Sanctions

Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappé emerged as a key witness, alleging that Prestianni used his jersey to mask the fact that he called Vinícius a "monkey" five separate times. Under UEFA’s stringent disciplinary regulations, if the allegations are proven, Prestianni faces a minimum ten-match ban from European competitions.

Incident Summary: Benfica vs Real Madrid

Defence and Club Reaction

Prestianni has vehemently denied the claims, asserting that Vinícius misheard his remarks and counter-accusing the Real Madrid players of aggressive conduct. His club, Benfica, has stood firmly behind their player, releasing a brief but supportive message on social media stating: "Together by your side."

As the investigation begins, the eyes of the football world are on UEFA to see if they will take a firm stand against a recurring issue that has plagued Vinícius Júnior's career. The outcome of this probe will likely serve as a benchmark for how European football handles "concealed" verbal abuse in the modern era.