Vinicius hits out at 'useless' anti-racism protocol after Benfica incident
Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr didn't hold back after the Champions League clash, slamming both racists and officials for their handling of incidents at the Estádio da Luz.
Brazilian forward takes to Instagram following alleged racist abuse during Champions League victory at Benfica
Vinicius Junior wasn’t having any of it after Real Madrid’s Champions League victory over Benfica. The Brazilian star took to Instagram just an hour after the final whistle to address alleged racist incidents at the Estádio da Luz.
‘Cowards hiding behind shirts’
In a strongly-worded statement posted to his Instagram stories, Vinicius called out those responsible for the racist abuse he reported during the match.
“Racists are, above all, cowards,” the Madrid forward declared, specifically referencing images showing Benfica’s Prestianni covering his mouth before Vinicius approached the referee to complain.
Vini Jr didn’t just have the perpetrators in his sights, though. He took aim at the officials and governing bodies who he believes failed to act properly when racism reared its ugly head.
Protocol problems
The Brazilian was particularly scathing about the anti-racism protocol activated by referee François Letexier during the match, describing it as “poorly executed and completely useless” – a damning indictment of UEFA’s much-publicized procedures.
To add insult to injury, Vinicius also questioned why he received a yellow card for his goal celebration, writing that he was “still not understanding why” he was booked.
More than football
Despite his frustration, the 23-year-old acknowledged the importance of Madrid’s result, noting that he didn’t want to steal the limelight from his team’s impressive performance.
“I don’t like appearing in situations like this, especially after a great victory when the headlines should be about Real Madrid, but it’s necessary,” he explained.
This statement perfectly captures the two worlds Vinicius currently inhabits – brilliant footballer on the pitch, reluctant but determined anti-racism campaigner off it.
The Brazilian continues to show he’s not just about the fancy footwork and goals – he’s using his platform to demand better from football’s authorities in their fight against discrimination. Proper job from the lad, if you ask me.