Spanish La Liga club, Real Madrid, have announced, it has submitted “all available evidence'” to Uefa as concerns the alleged racism incident that happened against Brazilian forward, Vinicius Jr, during the Uefa Champions League 2025/26 Play-off match against Benfica in Lisbon, Portugal on Wednesday.
The Los Blancos made known, the evidence was submitted after the Club had “actively collaborated” with the investigations opened by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
Real Madrid said in a statement on Thursday 19 February, 2026 on its official website, Vinicius suffered “unacceptable episodes of racism” after he netted the 50th minute winner for Real Madrid in the match against Jose Mourinho’s Eagles.
The Spanish Club said, it will not stop to work with all institutions to ensure racism is “eradicated” in sports.
The statement reads in full: “Real Madrid C. F. announces that today it has submitted all available evidence to UEFA regarding the incidents that occurred last Tuesday, February 17, during the Champions League match our team played in Lisbon against SL Benfica.
“Our club has actively collaborated with the investigation opened by UEFA following the unacceptable episodes of racism experienced during that match.
“Real Madrid appreciates the unanimous support, backing, and affection that our player Vinicius Jr. has received from all areas of the global football community.
“Real Madrid will continue working, in collaboration with all institutions, to eradicate racism, violence, and hate in sports and society.”
A special investigator was appointed on Wednesday by Uefa to gather evidence on what occurred in the Portuguese Capital, Lisbon, in Real Madrid’s lone goal triumph over Benfica in the UCL Play-off first leg game.
Vinicius accused Gianluca Prestianni, Benfica player, of calling him “monkey” after the Brazilian scored the only goal.
Prestianni, Argentine winger, was one of the Benfica players that expressed annoyance at Vini after the Brazilian celebrated his goal by the corner flag of the Portuguese giants.
