Benfica Hit with UEFA Fine Following Racist Abuse Incident During Real Madrid Clash
Portuguese football club Benfica have been penalised by UEFA following racist abuse by supporters during their Champions League encounter with Real Madrid last month. The governing body confirmed on Wednesday that Benfica must pay a fine of 40,000 euros (approximately $34,600) for illicit chants and gestures made by two fans.
Investigation into Vinicius Jr Allegation Continues
Separately, UEFA's investigation remains ongoing concerning allegations that Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni racially abused Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr during the match. The incident occurred on 17 February at the Stadium of Light in Lisbon, where television footage captured some supporters making monkey gestures after Madrid's 1-0 victory in the first leg of the knockout play-offs.
The match was temporarily halted for nearly ten minutes when Vinicius reported to the referee that Prestianni had called him a "monkey" after scoring and celebrating in front of Benfica fans. Prestianni, who has denied the accusation, was seen pulling his jersey over his mouth at the time of the alleged insult.
Club Actions and UEFA Sanctions
Benfica had previously suspended five fans who were under investigation for inappropriate behaviour of a racist nature in the stands. In addition to the financial penalty, UEFA has imposed a one-year probation period on the club. Should Benfica fail to comply, they risk having to close part of their stadium for a future European competition fixture.
Prestianni, the Argentina winger, was suspended by UEFA for the second leg in Madrid while the investigation proceeds. If found guilty, he faces a potential ten-game ban from UEFA competition matches.
Match Outcome and Tournament Progress
Real Madrid secured a 3-1 aggregate victory after winning the second leg 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu, advancing to the last sixteen of the Champions League. They subsequently achieved an impressive 5-1 aggregate win over Manchester City last week, triumphing in both legs of that tie.
The Spanish giants are now set to face Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals next month. A victory would see them progress to the semi-finals, where they would meet either Paris Saint-Germain or Liverpool.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about racism in football, with UEFA taking disciplinary action while continuing to investigate the specific allegations involving players. The case underscores the importance of addressing discriminatory behaviour both on and off the pitch to maintain the integrity of the sport.
