Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior alleged he was racially abused by Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni during a Champions League match in Lisbon, which he marked with a stunning goal for a 1-0 victory.
The match was halted for nearly 10 minutes as players and officials activated UEFA's racism protocols in response to the serious accusation.
José Mourinho, Benfica's manager, faced backlash for his comments suggesting Vinícius provoked the situation, drawing ire from fans, players, and pundits alike.
High-profile figures in football, including Kylian Mbappé and Trent Alexander-Arnold, publicly voiced their support for Vinícius, condemning the racial abuse and calling for accountability.
UEFA announced an investigation into the claims, stirring ongoing debates about the effectiveness and enforcement of football's anti-racism protocols in live matches.
Vinícius, determined to stand against discrimination, declared that "racists are cowards," underscoring his resolve to confront the challenges of racism in the sport.
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