Benfica vs Real Madrid halted for 10 minutes after...

Actual Madrid’s Champions League knockout play-off tie at Benfica was halted for 10 minutes after Vinicius Jr initially refused to play on following a remark made to him by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni.

Vinicius Jr had simply given Actual the lead when he was confronted by Prestianni, who pulled his shirt up over his mouth earlier than saying one thing to the Madrid striker.

Vinicius Jr ran to talk to match referee Francois Letexier, who instantly stopped the sport.

Following Vinicius Jr’s criticism, the referee responded by crossing ​his arms in entrance of his ⁠face, activating FIFA’s anti-racism protocol and quickly stopping the match.

Benfica coach Jose Mourinho was seen making an attempt to console a visibly upset Vinicius Jr and a member of the Benfica teaching employees was proven a pink card throughout the prolonged stoppage.

After numerous discussions between gamers, coaches and the referee, play then resumed.

Actual Madrid held on to win 1-0, with Mourinho additionally despatched off for a separate incident, however there was an additional quick delay late in stoppage time when followers threw objects as Vinicius Jr was trying to take a nook kick.

“Racists are, above all, cowards,” Vinicius Jr posted on his Instagram story post-match.

“They should put their shirts over their mouths to show how weak they’re.

“However they’ve, on their aspect, the safety of others who, theoretically, have the duty to punish. Nothing that occurred right here right now was new in my life and my household’s.

“I acquired a yellow card for celebrating a objective. I nonetheless do not perceive why. However, only a poorly executed protocol that served no goal. I do not like showing in conditions like this, much more so after an ideal victory and when the headlines should be about Actual Madrid, nevertheless it’s obligatory.”

Prestianni has but to touch upon the incident.

Vinicius Jr’s team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold instructed Amazon Prime after the sport: “I can not remark an excessive amount of as there may be most likely an ongoing investigation.

“What’s occurred tonight is a shame to soccer. It is overshadowed the efficiency, particularly after such a tremendous objective.

“Vini has been subjected to this a number of occasions all through his profession, there is not any place for it in soccer or society. It is disgusting.”

Benfica boss Mourinho additionally spoke to Amazon Prime, claiming Vinicius Jr incited the gang and his gamers because of the method of his celebration, however stated he wished to “be impartial” on the incident as Vinicius Jr and Prestianni “instructed him various things”.

Mourinho stated: “I instructed [Vinicius Jr] – if you rating a objective like that, you simply have fun and stroll again. When he was arguing about racism, I instructed him the most important particular person [Eusebio] within the historical past of this membership was black.

“This membership, the very last thing that it’s, is racist.”

Actual Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa instructed Amazon Prime: “You must ask Benfica’s gamers [about it].

“Everybody can see what occurred with Prestianni, he put the shirt over his mouth. You must ask him.

“What Vini stated shouldn’t be necessary, we have to battle towards racism in soccer. We help Vini after all.”

On the objects thrown at Vinicius Jr, Alexander-Arnold stated: “It is a hostile atmosphere, perhaps they had been upset with the way in which Vini celebrated. I do not know what set them off like that. Like I stated, hostile atmosphere. We’re used to it as a group. We take the win, return house and play once more.”

Vinicius Jnr has spoken out beforehand about repeated racist abuse he has suffered, saying in 2024 that he felt “much less and fewer” like taking part in soccer due to the abuse. In that very same yr, three Valencia followers had been sentenced to eight months in jail for racially abusing him at a match in Could 2023.

In the meantime, 5 individuals had been handed suspended jail sentences in 2025 for racially abusing Vinicius in an “unprecedented” ruling in Spain. The incident occurred throughout Actual Madrid’s match towards Actual Valladolid in September 2022.

‘Stunning, disgraceful, upsetting’

Each day Mirror soccer journalist John Cross talking on Again Pages Tonight:

“It is really stunning and disgraceful – utterly upsetting. I can not imagine in 2026 that soccer hasn’t acquired a deal with on this. Think about if you’re Vinicius Jnr – a genius and who has simply scored an unimaginable objective.

“This could shine a lightweight and disgrace soccer. Sturdy motion have to be taken towards the perpetrators. In a World Cup yr a powerful message needs to be despatched out.”