The fallout from Real Madrid's Champions League match against Benfica just got a lot more serious. The Portuguese government has officially opened an investigation into the alleged racial abuse Vinicius Junior reported during Tuesday's game.
"The Authority for the Prevention and Combat of Violence in Sport (APCVD) has initiated administrative offense proceedings to ascertain the facts," their statement confirmed on Wednesday. This marks the 20th different case of alleged racial abuse directed at Vinicius Jr during his eight years at Real Madrid. That's a shocking number that shows just how big this problem really is.
The tricky part? There's no definitive proof of what Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni actually said because he covered his mouth with his shirt. Some people think covering his mouth is basically an admission of guilt. But legally, it makes the case much harder to prove.
"Racists are, above all else, cowards," Vinicius Jr wrote on social media afterward. "They need to put their shirt over their mouths to show how weak they are." His words hit hard, and they might actually lead to real change.
New Rules Could Be Coming
Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre sits on FIFA's Players' Voice Panel, which fights racism in football. He revealed that Tuesday's incident could inspire new laws in the game.
"Our WhatsApp group was on fire last night," Silvestre told Sky Sports. "We're trying to find ways to sanction players talking while covering their mouth. Maybe we need to sanction this type of behavior."
Silvestre also criticized how the incident was handled during the match. Referee François Letexier made the anti-racism protocol gesture, but there was no announcement on the stadium's big screen. Fans in the stadium didn't know what was happening.
Real Madrid submitted all their evidence to UEFA on Thursday morning. "Our club has actively collaborated with the investigation," their statement read. The Spanish giants appreciated the support Vinicius Jr has received from the football community.
Mourinho's Comments Spark Backlash
Not everyone has backed Vinicius Jr though. Benfica manager José Mourinho tried defending his player and club by saying "the biggest person in the history of this club [Eusébio] was black." His argument? Benfica can't be racist.
That defense didn't go down well. French World Cup winner Lilian Thuram fired back hard. "Who are you, Mr. Mourinho, to allow yourself to decide what Vinicius Jr has the right to do or not?" he asked. Thuram called out "white superiority and white narcissism" in Mourinho's words.
Even some Benfica supporters are backing Vinicius Jr over their own club. Former Benfica captain Luisão wrote that the club's defense of Prestianni was "worse because it's a lie." He added: "It was racist, yes, and I'm ashamed of it."
This case could have major implications for both clubs moving forward. Real Madrid will likely see this as validation for their fierce protection of Vinicius Jr. For bettors watching these teams, any potential sanctions or distractions could impact upcoming performances, especially as the Champions League knockout stages approach. The investigation's outcome might also affect player suspensions and team morale heading into crucial matches.
