{"id":24428,"date":"2026-02-28T06:33:46","date_gmt":"2026-02-28T06:33:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/28\/fifa-considers-enacting-vinicius-law-following-racism-scandal-between-benfica-and-real-madrid\/"},"modified":"2026-02-28T06:33:46","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T06:33:46","slug":"fifa-considers-enacting-vinicius-law-following-racism-scandal-between-benfica-and-real-madrid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/28\/fifa-considers-enacting-vinicius-law-following-racism-scandal-between-benfica-and-real-madrid\/","title":{"rendered":"FIFA considers enacting ‘Vinicius Law’ following racism scandal between Benfica and Real Madrid"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n<\/p>\n
\n
Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior accused Gianluca Prestiani of racist abuse after Benfica’s midfield covered his mouth during last week’s Champions League play-off match<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
Jamie Gardner, Press Association Chief Sports Reporter<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
February 27, 2026, 22:26<\/span>Updated February 27, 2026 22:26<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The Press Association understands that players who cover their mouths when speaking to opponents could face future sanctions. Gianluca Prestiani is under investigation for allegedly racially abusing Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior during last week’s Champions League match.<\/p>\n
What Mr. Prestiani said to Mr. Vinicius is disputed, and Mr. Prestiani strongly denies using racist language. The Argentine player covered his mouth as if he wanted to say something to Vinicius.<\/p>\n
FIFA is said to be keen to explore ways to tackle the issue and is understood to have raised the idea of \u200b\u200bintroducing deterrents against such behavior at a technical meeting on Friday ahead of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) annual general meeting in Wales on Saturday.<\/p>\n
One source has referred to this as “Vinicius’ law”, and it is understood that the British associations that make up IFAB along with FIFA welcome the idea, but discussions are still at an early stage and the practicalities of enforcement will need to be carefully considered.<\/p>\n
Follow Real Madrid’s FB page! You can find the latest news on our dedicated Facebook page<\/p>\n
read more: Benfica issue new statement following claims that Gianluca Prestiani admitted racism towards Vinicius Junior<\/span><\/span>read more: Where Jose Mourinho surprisingly watched the Real Madrid vs. Benfica match due to suspension<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
However, this is understood to be only the beginning of discussions and formal proposals to tackle the issue are not expected to be submitted immediately. FIFA is also believed to have proposed increasing penalties for players leaving the pitch with a yellow card or a red card, following the chaos that followed the final match between Senegal and Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations.<\/p>\n
FIFA has been contacted for comment. Vinicius is said to have been abused during Real Madrid’s win over Benfica in Lisbon on February 17.<\/p>\n
The 25-year-old left the field after reporting a member of Benfica’s team – who the Spanish side later claimed was Prestiani – to referee Fran\u00e7ois Letexier. The game was temporarily suspended in accordance with UEFA regulations, and although the stoppage lasted for 10 minutes, Vinicius continued to play the full game and Real won 1-0.<\/p>\n
Please bring back the mirror! Keep the latest headlines at the top of Google Search<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
The match was suspended for 10 minutes following a complaint from Vinicius Junior (Image: Miguel Lemos\/DeFodi Images\/DeFodi via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
It happened after the Brazilian forward gave his team the lead five minutes into the second half with a brilliant individual strike. After celebrating in front of his home fans, the 25-year-old was visibly upset by what was said to him and immediately informed L’Etexier.<\/p>\n
After the match, Vinicius posted on his Instagram Story in Portuguese: “Racists are cowards above all. They need to shove their shirts in their mouths to show how weak they are.”<\/p>\n
He started for Real in Wednesday’s return match and had the final word as the Spanish giants progressed to the last 16, securing a 2-1 win on the night with a clinical 80th-minute finish and a 3-1 success on aggregate.<\/p>\n
UEFA imposed a provisional sanction on Prestiani on Monday, excluding him from the tie, but the winger was traveling to Madrid as part of Benfica’s squad. The Portuguese club had appealed the decision to suspend Prestiani, but UEFA rejected the appeal on Wednesday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check it out whenever you like. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.<\/p>\nContent cannot be displayed without consent<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
![\"LISBON,](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36767710.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Benfica-v-Real-Madrid-UEFA-Champions-League.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"LISBON,](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36760450.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/2_GettyImages-2261684116.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>