That's all from us today as we brought you reaction to the Champions League tie between Benfica and Real Madrid, where Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior was on the receiving end of alleged racial abuse.

Here are the top lines:

• Uefa have announced they've opened an official investigation into the alleged incident

• Kick It Out have released a statement saying said the incident "sends the wrong message to others around the world"
• Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold said the alleged abuse of team-mate Vinicius was a "disgrace to football"

• Manager Jose Mourinho pointed to the club's legendary striker Eusebio as proof that Benfica is not a racist club
• Benfica themselves released a 21-word statement in the early hours of Wednesday morning denying the allegations before releasing a longer one on Wednesday afternoon, suggesting Gianluca Prestianni is on the receiving end of a "defamation campaign"
• Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg believes the Brazil forward made life "very difficult" for the referee

The Brazilian Football Confederation released a statement on Tuesday evening in support of their forward, Vinicius Junior.

It read:

The CBF stands in solidarity with Vinícius Júnior, victim of yet another act of racism this Tuesday, after scoring for Real Madrid against Benfica in Lisbon.

Racism is a crime. It is unacceptable. It cannot exist in football or anywhere else. Vini, you are not alone.

Your decision to activate the protocol is an example of courage and dignity. We are proud of you. We will remain steadfast in the fight against all forms of discrimination.

We stand by your side. Always.

Image source, Getty Images

Micah Richards
Former Man City defender on CBS Sports Golazo

I'm disappointed with the whole thing. Mourinho is someone I absolutely love as a coach, and could have just talked about something different.

I expect better from him because he's a powerful person within the sport. A lot of people listen to what he says and Jamie is right, the hypocrisy from him basically talking about Vini Junior when he celebrates exactly how he wants. I just feel let down.

Image source, Getty Images

Kevin Hatchard
Football journalist on X

Mourinho has done some pretty low stuff down the years, but this is one of his worst moments.

He knows that Vinicius has to suffer this ridiculous narrative that "he brings it on himself" and he's willingly feeding it. Pathetic.

Jamie Carragher
Former Liverpool defender on CBS Sports Golazo

Anyone can celebrate how they like, obviously they shouldn't get racially abused no matter what.

It just feels rich coming from Jose Mourinho... who is a guy who celebrates and antagonises the opposition more than any coach has ever done. Junior is entitled to celebrate how he likes.

Image source, Getty Images

Benfica

Benfica have this afternoon released another statement, building on their 21-word statement that they released via X in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

It reads:

"Sport Lisboa e Benfica views with a spirit of complete collaboration, transparency, openness and a sense of clarity the steps announced today by UEFA, following the alleged case of racism that occurred in the game against Real Madrid.

"The Club reaffirms, clearly and unequivocally, its historical and unwavering commitment to defending the values of equality, respect, and inclusion, which align with the core values of its foundation and which have Eusébio as their greatest symbol.

"Sport Lisboa e Benfica reiterates that it fully supports and believes in the version presented by the player Gianluca Prestianni, whose conduct while serving the Club has always been guided by respect for opponents, institutions, and the principles that define Benfica's identity. The Club regrets the defamation campaign to which the player has been subjected."

Jamie O'Hara
Former Tottenham midfielder on Sky Sports News

It's disgusting what Jose Mourinho has come out and said. The comments are disgraceful, they really are. He's had a go at him for celebrating a goal, he scored a fantastic goal we should all be talking about.

His celebration is absolutely fine, he enjoys his moment. He gets booked by the referee for celebrating, which in my opinion is disgraceful as well and then he gets abused.

He then has to go to the referee and say I've been abused, for Jose Mourinho to come out and almost say he brings it upon himself I think it's outrageous, and totally unfair.

You can't say he brings it upon himself because he's the one getting targeted. I think Mourinho will regret his comments, I think he's made a massive mistake and bang out of order to question Vinicius Junior.

Don't tell me Mourinho can sit there with a straight face and say 'you shouldn't do that.'

Image source, Getty Images

In case you missed it, Benfica manager Jose Mourinho was seen speaking with Vinicius after the player took the decision to walk off the pitch following the interaction with Gianluca Prestianni.

The Portuguese said in his post-match interview that he was told different things by Vinicius and Prestianni regarding the incident.

In addition to expressing his belief that Vinicius had been disrespectful with his goal celebration, he pointed to the club's legendary striker Eusebio as proof that Benfica is not a racist club.

Asked if he felt Vinicius incited the crowd, Mourinho said: "Yes. I believe so.

"It should be the crazy moment of the game, an amazing goal. Unfortunately [he was] not just happy to score that astonishing goal. When you score a goal like that, you celebrate in a respectful way."

He added: "I told [Vinicius], when you score a goal like that you just celebrate and walk back. When he was arguing about racism, I told him the biggest person in the history of this club [Eusebio] was black.

"This club, the last thing that it is, is racist. If in his mind there was something in relation to that, this is Benfica.

"They [Vinicius and Prestianni] told me different things. But I don't believe in one or another. I want to be an independent."

Image source, Getty Images

Thierry Henry
Former Arsenal forward on CBS Sports Golazo

I don't like Real Madrid, but I'm a Madridista tonight. You don't want to see that, I don't care what shirt Vinicius Junior is wearing. I heard some people saying it's always happening with him, who cares? And on top of that don't celebrate?

We all have massive respect for Benfica but that individual needs to answer to what Kylian Mbappe has said. He cannot just come out and say 'I didn't say anything.' Why did you cover your mouth then? I believe Kylian, he left me a message by the way - I can't wait to hear it. I called him because I wanted to know what the guy said. Enough is enough.

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni faces a 10-game suspension if Uefa's ethics and disciplinary inspector finds evidence of racism.

This mandatory punishment was introduced in 2013 by Gianni Infantino when he was Uefa general secretary.

It was applied in British football in 2021 following a Europa League game between Slavia Prague and Rangers.

Ondrej Kudela, a centre-back for the Czech club, was accused and found guilty of racially abusing Glen Kamara.

Kudela appealed the suspension but dropped it before a hearing.

Uefa regulations stipulate “a minimum 10-match” suspension. Rangers were angry that the ban was not longer.

Image source, Getty Images

UEFA

Uefa, who organise the Champions League, have announced they have opened an official investigation into claims that Vinicus was racially abused during the match against Benfica.

"A UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed to investigate allegations of discriminatory behaviour during the UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 Knock-out Play-off between Club Benfica and Real Madrid CF on 17 February 2026," they said.

Further information regarding this matter will be made available in due course.

Former Benfica legend and Brazil defender Luisao responded to Benfica's club statement defending Gianluca Prestianni, stating that he was 'ashamed' of it: "This shirt is too big, I love Benfica it's my second skin, you have to be worthy to wear the sacred mantle, this text makes it worse because it's a lie.. football is won with grit, with fight.. It was a racist act yes and I'm ashamed of it."

Image source, Getty Images

Kick It Out have released a statement following Tuesday evening's incident:

"When anyone reports discrimination in football, or anywhere, the first priority is that they are listened to and feel supported.

"Focusing on Vinicius Jr’s goal celebration or the history of the club, instead of acknowledging the report, is a form of gaslighting.

"This approach not only harms the individual affected but also sends the wrong message to others around the world who may have experienced similar situations.

"Leaders in football have a crucial role in setting standards, and moments like these call for responsible leadership that reinforces respect, inclusion, and accountability.

"We look forward to a thorough investigation into this incident, with appropriate accountability linked to the outcome."

Image source, Getty Images

Micah Richards
Former Man City defender on CBS Sports Golazo

Gianluca Prestianni isa coward, an absolute coward because no one will ever know, only him and Vinicius Junior. For him to pull his shirt over his mouth and now we're having to have this conversation about did it happen or not.

His reaction you know, Vinicius, he is not going to lie with something as serious as that, when you see that moment there you almost just feel sorry for Vinicius, and then the reaction from the crowd giving him some.

Everyone's on social media now, people know what's going on and for him to get that abuse after he was the one who allegedly got abused, I just don't think it's right.