LISBON, Portugal (AP) – Tuesday’s Champions League match between Real Madrid and Benfica was halted for several minutes after Vinicius Junior accused an opponent of racial insults.
Shortly after Vinicius gave Madrid a 1-0 lead in the first leg of the knockout play-offs, French referee François Letexier stopped the match in the 52nd minute.
Benfica’s players were not pleased with Vinicius celebrating by dancing in front of the corner flag, and several, including Argentina’s Gianluca Prestianni, confronted Vinicius.
As Prestiani was complaining to Vinicius, covering his mouth with his jersey, the Brazilian forward suddenly pointed at him and ran towards the referee.
Vinicius was caught on camera telling Letexier that Prestiani had called him a “monkey.”
The referee immediately stopped the match and Vinicius, who was black, went to the sideline.
Benfica’s Jose Mourinho and Madrid’s Alvaro Arbeloa both spoke to Vinicius at some point.
The referee didn’t seem to hear anything and motioned for Prestiani to put his shirt over his mouth. Letexier pulled Prestiani aside and spoke to him.
The Argentine player was not shown a yellow card and continued to play.
Vinicius was shown a yellow card after the celebration. The game was restarted in the 60th inning.
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