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.

Thierry Henry
Former Arsenal forward on CBS

I can relate to what Vinicius Junior is going through. That happened to me so many times on the field. At times you feel lonely because it's going to be your word against his word, because we don't know what he has said.

He put his shirt over his mouth. Clearly, already, he looks suspicious because he didn't want people to see what he said.

Let's see how big of a man Prestianni is – tell us what you said.

Image source, Getty Images

Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold said the alleged abuse of team-mate Vinicius was a "disgrace to football".

"What has happened is a disgrace to football and overshadowed the performance, as well as an amazing goal," said Alexander-Arnold.

"Vini has been subject to this a few times throughout his career. To ruin a night like this for our team is a disgrace.

"There is no place for it in football or society. It is disgusting."

Image source, Getty Images

Good afternoon.

Not the kind of live page we wanted to be bringing you today but one that is important to nonetheless.

We'll carry on bringing you all the reaction from last night's 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 so far:

• Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni denies racially abusing Vinicius
• Benfica released a 21-word statement also denying the claims
• Manager Jose Mourinho pointed to the club's legendary striker Eusebio as proof that Benfica is not a racist club
• Vinicius released a statement calling all racists "cowards"
• Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg believes the Brazil forward made life "very difficult" for the referee
• And your reaction to this developing story

Mikael Silvestre
Former Manchester United defender on Sky Sports News

Our WhatsApp group was on fire last night. We need to sanction this type of behaviour. Whether you put your hands in front of your mouth or covering using your shirt like Prestianni did. We also need to speak with the referees about what they can do. There should have also been an announcement on the big screen in the stadium but I don't think that was the case.

At least there are witnesses, Kylian Mbappe came forward and said he heard what the player said. So you can at least have testimonies. It's hard, it's physically difficult for the referee to have proof of what is happening for the investigation. To return in seven days (the reverse fixture) and if something is proven to be true, then the player shouldn't be able to play. He should have a suspension, he should go into a vindication programme because this type of behaviour is not possible.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC 5 Live Breakfast

Guillem Balague spoke to BBC 5 Live about the on the racist incident at Benfica v Real Madrid match last night: "We will never know exactly what it was because Gianluca Prestianni put his shirt over his mouth.

"The referee didn't even argue, he crossed his arms [the protocol sign that someone has been racially abused] and he stopped the game.

"Because the referee had not heard anything, it was down to Vinicius to decide if the game was going to continue, he was approached by his manager and Álvaro Arbeloa said, 'if you want to leave we will all leave with you'.

"The Benfica manager [José Mourinho] went to Vinicius and said that 'Benfica is not a racist club' and added to the pressure was put on him to decide if the game would continue.

"The fans went against Vinicius and Mbappé [who started shouting very loudly to make sure the camera caught him saying to Prestianni that he is a racist man.

"At the end of the game there was a lot of verbal exchanges in the tunnel.

"UEFA will have to hear from everyone who wants to talk about it and decide what to do next and what kind of punishment, if any he will get.

"Mourinho was trying to say to the media and Vinicius 'why did you celebrate like that?'. He was sent off for his reacting to the referee and many Real-Madrid fans were disappointed with Mourinho reaction because Vinicius was to blame it seems."

Image source, Getty Images

Uefa established a three-step racism protocol to handle incidents of discrimination inside stadiums in 2009.

It is designed to give referees the power to halt or even abandon matches if racist behaviour continues.

If the referee becomes aware of a racist incident, they will:

• Stop the match. If the incident involves members of the crowd, an announcement will be made over the public address system calling for any racist behaviour to stop.
• If it continues, the game is stopped for five to 10 minutes and the players will be taken off the pitch while another announcement is made.
• If it resumes after the second restart, the referee can abandon the game.

A match will only be abandoned once the security of the players and public has been assessed. The case is then referred to Uefa's disciplinary authorities.

CBS Football Correspondent, James Benge, on Clattenburg's claims that Vinicius made the situation 'very, very difficult' for the referee:

"Mark Clattenburg doing his former profession no favours. Vinicius Junior celebrated, as is his right. Nothing Vini could possibly do would merit what he alleges happened to him. If he doesn't want to play then the game needs to stop."

Image source, Getty Images

Mark Clattenburg
Former Premier League referee on Amazon Prime

Once Vinicius Junior has approached the referee, the referee now has to follow the protocol, he has to follow the rules that Uefa have set out when this happens.

The problem in this situation is that Vinicius Junior has not helped himself. He has made this difficult for the referee.

He scored a wonderful goal and all he has to do is, yes celebrate, but return back. He has made this situation very, very difficult.

Image source, Getty Images

Rio Ferdinand
Former Man Utd defender on Instagram

Shoutout to Trent and Kylian Mbappé for backing Vinicius Junior last night. How are we still sitting here talking about racism? How are people trying to justify when someone says someone racist? Vini is to blame?

He should not celebrate like that? How? We cannot accept this. Football is the beautiful game because it is the beautiful game. But this kind of rubbish sets it back so much. The authorities have to do something.

I can't understand why people are trying to justify someone's stupidness just because another player scored an unbelievable goal, a spectacular goal…

Image source, Getty Images

After the match, Vinicius released a statement on Instagram condemning the incident. "Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts in their mouths to show how weak they are," said Vinicius.

"But they have the protection of others who, theoretically, have an obligation to punish them. Nothing that happened today is new in my life or in my team's life.

"I received a yellow card for celebrating a goal. I still don't understand why. On the other hand, it was just a poorly executed protocol that served no purpose." Prestianni denied directing racist abuse towards Vinicius.

"I want to clarify that at no time did I direct racist insults to Vini Jr, who regrettably misunderstood what he thought he heard," said the 20-year-old.

"I was never racist with anyone and I regret the threats I received from Real Madrid players."

Image source, Getty Images