'Cowards' - Racism Allegation Overshadows Real Madrid’s Benfica Win
Last update: February 18, 2026
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Real Madrid beat Benfica 1-0 in the first leg, but the match was overshadowed over alleged racist abuse...
Real Madrid’s 1-0 victory over Benfica in the first leg of their Champions League knockout phase play-off was overshadowed by an alleged racist incident involving Vinicius Junior at the Estadio da Luz.
CBI News reports that the game was halted for about 10 minutes in the second half after Vinicius reported alleged racist abuse by Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni to referee François Letexier.
The Brazilian forward, who had scored the only goal of the match, and several teammates briefly left the pitch while officials addressed the situation.
Vinicius later reacted on Instagram, writing: “racists are, above all, cowards.”
Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold condemned the alleged abuse, describing it as unacceptable.
“I think what has happened tonight is a disgrace to football and overshadowed the performance, as well as an amazing goal,” Alexander-Arnold said.
“Vini has been subject to this a few times throughout his career. To ruin a night like this for our team is a disgrace.
“There is no place for it in football or society. It is disgusting.”
Benfica manager José Mourinho, however, suggested that Vinicius’ goal celebration may have fueled tension inside the stadium, while strongly defending his club against accusations of racism.
“There is something wrong because it happens in every stadium,” Mourinho said.
“A stadium where Vinicius plays something happens, always.”
Asked whether he believed Vinicius incited the crowd, he replied: “Yes. I believe so. It should be the crazy moment of the game, an amazing goal. Unfortunately [he was] not just happy to score that astonishing goal. When you score a goal like that, you celebrate in a respectful way.”
Mourinho added: “I told [Vinicius], when you score a goal like that you just celebrate and walk back. When he was arguing about racism, I told him the biggest person in the history of this club [Eusebio] was black.
“This club, the last thing that it is, is racist. If in his mind there was something in relation to that, this is Benfica.
“They [Vinicius and Prestianni] told me different things. But I don't believe in one or another. I want to be an independent.”
His remarks drew criticism from former players analysing the match.
Clarence Seedorf said on Amazon Prime: “I think he is still emotional. I think he made a big mistake today to justify racial abuse.
“He's saying it's OK, when Vinicius provokes you, to be racist, and I think that is very wrong.
“We should never, ever justify racial abuse. Vinicius has had enough of that unjustified behaviour from people. I know Mourinho by heart would agree with me but he expressed himself a bit unfortunately, I believe.”
Former England international Theo Walcott also criticised Mourinho’s comments. “I am quite calm and composed and I am not someone who gets angry often,” Walcott said.
“I love everything Jose Mourinho has done in football but I think he has made a poor decision in that sense. It was maybe the one time we shouldn't have heard from him, the one night he should not have been in front of the cameras.”
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe called on UEFA to take action and questioned whether Prestianni should continue in the competition.
“Nothing like this has ever happened to me, and in these kinds of important matters, it's important to speak very clearly and not to speak in generalities,” Mbappe said.
“I have the utmost respect for Benfica and their coach, who is one of the best in history and who made history with Real Madrid. But, in my opinion, this player doesn't deserve to play in the Champions League anymore.
“We cannot accept that a player who plays in Europe's top competition behaves like this. This guy doesn't deserve to play in the Champions League anymore, but we'll see what happens.
“Let's leave it to Uefa, who always try to do something. Now they have a serious case, and I hope they do something.”
Prestianni has not publicly commented on the allegation.
The two sides will meet again in Madrid next Wednesday for the return leg, with Real Madrid holding a narrow 1-0 advantage.
