Vinicius Jr., Tchouameni And Huijsen Get 8 | Real Madrid Players Rated In Narrow Win Vs Benfica

Real Madrid faced off against Benfica earlier tonight as they hoped to secure a win on the road in their UEFA Champions League playoff first-leg clash. Los Blancos made a solid start to the game but w...

Apparent racist abuse of Vinícius Júnior overshadows Real Madrid’s win in Benfica

Vinícius Júnior and his teammates appeared ready to walk off and the game was put on hold for 10 minutes after the Brazilian told the referee that he had been subject to racist abuse after scoring the goal that gives Real Madrid a 1-0 first-leg lead in their Champions League playoff against Benfica. Vinícius had celebrated the strike dancing in the corner of the Estádio da Luz and in the confrontations that followed, Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni said something to him while covering his mouth. Vinícius immediately ran to the referee, François Letexier, who stopped the match and crossed his arms to signal that he was doing so because of an accusation of racist abuse. Both managers came on to the pitch and Vinícius spoke to José Mourinho to explain what had happened. Conversations and confrontations continued as Vinícius sat alone on the bench, but eventually they restarted with the Brazilian on the pitch. The noise that accompanied Benfica’s attempts to get back into it, and a red card for Mourinho as he protested a late foul on the edge of the Madrid area, were unable to eclipse the feeling that there was something empty, something sadder, about the occasion now, like this match no longer mattered. Its lasting legacy will not be about the football. Continue reading...

By Sid Lowe at the Estádio da Luz

Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Benfica halted over alleged racist incident

Vinicius Jr had given the Spanish side the lead before reporting that he had been the victim of a racist remark

By Michael Jones

Match facts: Benfica v Real Madrid (UEFA Champions League) - World - Sports - Ahram Online

Match facts: Benfica v Real Madrid (UEFA Champions League) - World - Sports  Ahram Online