Real Madrid won 1-0 in Lisbon, but Vinicius Jr. accused Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni of a racial slur and UEFA has opened an investigation. Betting impact: markets may shorten Real Madrid's odds to advance while suspension risks could create volatility in player and disciplinary markets—punters should monitor UEFA updates before placing player-specific or in-play bets.
Vinicius Jr. alleges racial abuse amid Real Madrid's 1-0 win over Benfica
Real Madrid took a 1-0 lead in the Champions League knockout play-off first leg in Lisbon, but the result was overshadowed when Vinicius Jr. accused Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni of using a racial slur. The incident halted play for more than 10 minutes and has prompted an official UEFA investigation.
Match stopped after confrontation and celebration
Vinicius opened the scoring before receiving a yellow card for his celebration in front of the Estadio da Luz crowd. Shortly after, a confrontation between Vinicius and 20-year-old Prestianni led the Real forward to report that he had been called "mono"—the Spanish word for monkey. Prestianni denied the allegation and was seen covering his mouth during the exchange.
Strong reactions from players and coach
Teammates expressed outrage at the alleged abuse, with one calling the incident "disgusting" and saying it ruined the night for the team. Another senior player demanded that Prestianni be banned from the competition if the allegation is proven. Benfica coach José Mourinho criticised Vinicius' celebration, saying players should celebrate "in a respectful way," comments that drew criticism from anti-discrimination advocates.
Anti-discrimination groups and UEFA response
British anti-discrimination organisation Kick It Out condemned the focus on the celebration rather than the allegation, calling such responses a form of gaslighting and urging that reports of discrimination be taken seriously. UEFA confirmed it will investigate the matter, which could lead to disciplinary action depending on the findings.
Sporting fallout and betting implications
On the sporting front, any sanctions—suspensions or fines—could affect squad selection for upcoming ties. From a betting perspective, markets are likely to react: Real Madrid’s outright and progression odds may shorten after the on-field victory, while the prospect of disciplinary sanctions could create volatility in player-specific and suspension markets.
Jose Mourinho accuses Vinicius Jr of inciting incident that led to alleged racist abuse
Punters should wait for UEFA’s findings before backing player props or placing bets sensitive to potential bans.
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