Real Madrid’s Champions League game against Benfica was halted for 10 minutes in the second half after an incident of alleged racist abuse.
Madrid’s Vinicius Junior appeared to speak to referee Francois Letexier after the Brazilian opened the scoring in the 50th minute.
Vinicius Jr celebrated in front of Benfica fans at the Estadio da Luz and was shown a yellow card, while appearing to be targeted by objects thrown from the Portuguese crowd while celebrating.
The forward then spoke to Letexier and had words with several Benfica players. Other Madrid players were involved as the two sides clashed. Vincius Jr’s Madrid team-mate Kylian Mbappe also appeared upset during the stoppage. Madrid staff, including head coach Alvaro Arbeloa, spoke to both players.
In this period, Vinicius Jr ran back over to Letexier, with the French official then appearing to invoke FIFA’s ‘No Racism Gesture’ by crossing his arms in an X shape above his head.
Vinicius Jr appeared to report an alleged incident of racial abuse (Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Letexier then spoke to the two captains, Madrid’s Federico Valverde and Benfica’s Nicolas Otamendi. During the stoppage, Vinicius Jr went and sat back down on the Madrid bench.
The game resumed after a 10-minute delay, with Vinicius Jr then booed by the home fans when he touched the ball following the stoppage. Later in the half, Valverde also appeared to mimic a monkey gesture to Letexier, apparently indicating racial abuse.
Vincius Jr has been the subject of racist abuse several times in his career. The 25-year-old was targeted by Atletico Madrid fans in January 2023 and Valencia supporters in May of the same year, both instances during La Liga matches in Spain.
FIFA’s guidance on racism during matches says: “Following its unanimous approval at the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, on 17 May 2024, a global crossed arms gesture to signal racist abuse is now part of football protocol at FIFA tournaments. The No Racism Gesture is designed to empower players, team officials and referees to take a stand against racism.
“By crossing their hands at the wrists, players can signal directly to the referee that they are being targeted by racist abuse, prompting the referee to start the three-step procedure.”
FIFA’s No Racism Gesture was used by referee Ramon Abatti during the Club World Cup match between Madrid and Mexican side Pachuca last summer. Antonio Rudiger alleged that Gustavo Cabral had abused him, which the Pachuca captain denied, and reported the incident to Abatti.
UEFA has its own racism reporting initiative that referees can implement.
Both UEFA and FIFA have a three-step protocol for stopping matches after alleged incidents, which can end in matches being abandoned. The Athletic has contacted UEFA for comment.