Crossing the Line

It’s a column I don’t really want to do, but this is a topic we can’t ignore.

Everything in football has been overshadowed this week by the incident in the Benfica versus Real Madrid match when Vinícius Júnior alleges that his opponent made a racist comment to him and refused to carry on with the game. The incident has been met with disdain in many parts of the world.

What did I really think happened? My conclusion is in the last two paragraphs.

The detractors of Vinícius Júnior, and there are many, will say that he brings trouble onto himself. After the heated group match a few weeks ago, he re-engaged in a fight with Gianluca Prestini and the Benfica supporters. The Brazilian, as usual, savaged his opponent while playing to the crowd.

After scoring a spectacular goal, he performed a provocative corner flag dance. The situation was sparked and missiles were launched onto the pitch. The so-called fans didn’t have the accuracy of Viní Júnior, yet a few still hit.

Real Madrid’s player responded with a flurry of gesturing, as is typical of his fiery personality. It was a schoolboy mistake; the referee correctly booked him, and it should have ended there.

Uefa has to look at the next few minutes. It is clear that Benfica fans were racist towards number 7; footage seems to show a group of stupid teenagers sitting in the first row. Players also became involved; the hot-headed Prestianni, only just out of his teenage years himself, covered his mouth, and clearly says something to Vinícius.

Vinícius immediately sprinted to the referee to report the comment as racist. Referee stopped game by crossing his arms. Benfica stands behind the 20 year old. Some claim that his comment is “only” homophobic. That’s not an acceptable defence, is it?

Last week, some fans of Hull City were called out for chanting, “Chelsea rental boys”, during the FA Cup match last weekend. Their excuse was “just banter”. They are, in my opinion, stupid, dumb, and mindless.

I despair. Who in 2026 will go to a soccer match and hurl abuse that is homophobic or racist?

If VinJúnior is playing, it will be like a wrestling event, or even a pantomime. He’ll play the crowd and wind up opponents. Sometimes, he will even get into a fight with his coach. He can make people laugh.

Why go too far? This player has been involved in over twenty reported racist incidents.

What do you think? Why would you cover your face when you were going to tell him something? Kylian Mbappé is backing his teammate’s version of the incident. Prestianni looked like a schoolboy who was guilty; I believe he repeated insults from the idiot teenagers.

Although it will be difficult to prove his words, there is enough evidence for the strongest action to be taken. Manager José Mourinho is already facing a ban and the stadium should be closed for the missiles thrown onto the pitch.

Uefa should act. It is understandable to dislike the opponent, but what happened here crossed over into hatred.