Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has called on Uefa to demonstrate its commitment to combating racism, following alleged abuse directed at forward Vinicius Jr.
The incident occurred during last week’s Champions League knockout phase play-off first leg in Lisbon, where Vinicius claimed he was racially abused by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni shortly after scoring the only goal.
Prestianni, an Argentinian winger who denies the allegation, has since been handed a one-game provisional ban by Uefa, ruling him out of Wednesday evening’s return leg in Madrid.
“We are facing a great opportunity to make a significant step forward in the fight against racism,” Arbeloa stated at a press conference on Tuesday, as reported by Real’s website.
“Uefa has always been a strong advocate in the fight against racism, and now they have the opportunity not to leave it as just a slogan or a nice banner before matches. I hope they seize this opportunity.”
Vinicius, 25, received a yellow card for celebrating his 50th-minute goal in front of Benfica’s supporters. Benfica boss Jose Mourinho later suggested the Brazil international had acted disrespectfully and incited the crowd.
However, Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois defended his teammate, asserting that Vinicius’s celebration does not justify racism.
“Mourinho is Mourinho and, as a coach, you defend your club and what your player has told you,” Courtois said.
“What disappoints me is using Vini’s celebration. He didn’t do anything wrong. He celebrated as many opponents have done against us because when they score against us, the euphoria is double or triple. It’s happened, and we need to move on. We cannot justify an alleged act of racism with a celebration.”
Arbeloa praised Vinicius as a “fighter” and expressed confidence that he would prove himself among the world’s best players in the upcoming match at Santiago Bernabeu.
“Vini Junior has always shown great courage and character,” Arbeloa added. “Anyone in his situation, I don’t know how they would react. He has always done so bravely, showing tremendous personality. That has always been his response, and it always will be because he is a fighter.
“Tomorrow he will come out to fight and play a great match, showing that he is one of the best players on the planet.”
The initial match was halted for 10 minutes after Vinicius alerted referee Francois Letexier to the incident, prompting his teammates to temporarily leave the pitch.
Reports also emerged of other racist gestures in the stands at Estadio da Luz. UEFA has indicated that further punishment for Prestianni could follow a full investigation by an ethics and disciplinary inspector.
Benfica president Rui Costa has staunchly defended Prestianni, insisting the 20-year-old winger is “anything but racist” and confirming the club has appealed against the suspension.
“I’m not on the pitch to know what was said or not said but as you can imagine, in a situation like that, a lot is said,” Costa told reporters at Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport.
“But we believe in our player’s word, because more than that, we know the players we have at home. Prestianni is being crucified as a racist person, and I can guarantee that he is anything but racist, and that is why we have such confidence in him as a player.”
Mourinho, who faced criticism for his comments, will not conduct a customary pre-match press conference.
Costa further stated: “We have filed an appeal because we believe that nothing has been proven and therefore, there is no justification for the player’s absence from this game.”
