Portugal's government has opened an investigation into alleged racist offenses against Vinicius Júnior during the Benfica vs Real Madrid Champions League match. The incident followed the Brazilian's goal, causing a roughly 10-minute game stoppage. Additionally, a Benfica designer received death threats over artwork seen as racist.
The first leg of the UEFA Champions League playoff, played at Estádio da Luz on February 17, ended with Real Madrid defeating Benfica, thanks to Vinicius Júnior's goal. After scoring, the Brazilian player celebrated provocatively, sparking a discussion with Benfica athletes. Vini alerted the referee to racist offenses, pointing at Italian-Argentine Gianluca Prestianni, who covered his mouth during the confrontation. The referee activated the anti-racism protocol, halting the game for about 10 minutes. Real Madrid players, including Kylian Mbappé, showed outrage and threatened to leave the field.
Portugal's Authority for the Prevention and Combat of Violence in Sports (APCVD) has initiated an administrative process to investigate the facts, as reported by the Spanish newspaper Diário AS. In a statement, the body said: “Following the information disclosed in the press about alleged insults/acts of racism directed at Real Madrid player Vinícius Júnior during the match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid CF [...], the APCVD has initiated a sanctioning administrative process to ascertain the facts”. The investigation will review footage, referee reports, and other available elements.
Before the match, a Benfica promotional artwork by designer Marta Santinho depicted players as archers, with three monkeys on one player's belt, inspired by the Japanese proverb of the Three Wise Monkeys, symbolizing “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil”. After backlash, Santinho received over 100 messages, including death threats. In an Instagram post, she clarified: “To clarify the issue of the monkeys on Schjelderup's belt: his celebration is inspired by a well-known Japanese proverb that means ‘not see evil, not hear evil, and not speak evil’. [...] It was exclusively in this cultural and symbolic context that the work was done, without any other type of intention”.
The case has drawn attention in Portugal, Spain, and Brazil, with reactions from figures like Flamengo, which supported Vini Jr., stating that “racism is not part of the game”.
