MADRID (AP) 鈥� Real Madrid has sent UEFA 鈥渁ll available evidence鈥� of the against Vin铆cius J煤nior in the against Benfica.
鈥淥ur club has actively collaborated with the investigation opened by UEFA following the unacceptable episodes of racism experienced during that match,鈥� the club said on Thursday without elaborating on the evidence.
UEFA appointed a special investigator on Wednesday to gather evidence about what happened in Lisbon in Madrid’s 1-0 win over Benfica in the first leg of the knockout round of the Champions League.
Vin铆cius accused Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni of calling him 鈥渕onkey鈥� after the Brazilian scored the only goal. Prestianni was among the Benfica players upset with Vin铆cius after the forward celebrated by the Benfica corner flag.
Prestianni covered his mouth with his shirt when he allegedly spoke to the Brazilian player and denied racially abusing Vin铆cius, who is Black and has been subjected to repeated racist insults in Spain.
鈥淩eal Madrid appreciates the unanimous support, backing, and affection that our player Vinicius Jr. has received from all areas of the global football community,鈥� the club said. 鈥淩eal Madrid will continue working, in collaboration with all institutions, to eradicate racism, violence, and hate in sports and society.鈥�
Benfica said Prestianni was the victim of a 鈥渄efamation campaign” and welcomed the investigation opened by UEFA on Wednesday, saying it 鈥渇ully supports and believes the version presented鈥� by Prestianni.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday he was 鈥渟hocked and saddened to see the incident of alleged racism鈥� and praised the referee for activating the anti-racism protocol during the match, which was halted for nearly 10 minutes at the Stadium of Light.
___
AP soccer:
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
