UEFA is investigating racist abuse directed at Vinicius by Benfica fans during the Champions League
UEFA has announced an official investigation into the incidents that marred the Champions League match between Benfica and Real Madrid. This action follows reports that Brazilian star Vinicius Junior was subjected to racist chants and abuse, which marred the atmosphere of this major continental clash.
Details of UEFA's statement and urgent action
According to Sky Sports, UEFA issued a brief statement confirming that standard protocol procedures have been initiated. The statement, published through UEFA's official channels, explained that the disciplinary body is currently conducting a thorough review of all official match reports. This review includes reports from the referee, the technical observers, and the security coordinators present at the stadium to monitor any crowd misconduct.
The statement, published on the social media platform “X”, reads: “Official reports of the matches played last night are currently being reviewed. Upon any incidents being reported, the relevant authorities will immediately take action,” indicating the continental federation’s seriousness in dealing with the issue of racism that has become a scourge on European stadiums.
Vinicius Junior: A symbol in the fight against racism
This incident takes on particular significance given the broader context surrounding Vinicius Junior, who in recent years has become a leading figure in the global fight against racism in football. This was not the first time the Brazilian star has faced such harassment; he has encountered a series of similar incidents in various stadiums, prompting numerous human rights and sports organizations, including FIFA, to repeatedly call for harsher penalties.
The repeated targeting of Vinicius puts the European Union under increasing pressure to implement a “zero tolerance” policy in practice, not just in theory, to ensure the protection of players and provide a safe environment for sporting competition, free from hatred and discrimination.
Expected sanctions and their impact
In its response, UEFA indicated that if investigations prove Benfica fans were involved in racist abuse, disciplinary sanctions would be severe. According to UEFA's disciplinary regulations, penalties could range from hefty fines or partial bans on fans attending future matches (closing specific sections), to playing behind closed doors in serious cases.
UEFA confirmed that any decisions issued will be announced with full transparency through the official website specializing in disciplinary matters, stressing that there is no additional information that can be disclosed at the present time until the investigations are completed, in order to ensure the integrity of the legal procedures followed.
