Sport Lisboa e Benfica announced today that it has suspended five members, who may be expelled depending on the outcome of disciplinary proceedings, for racist behavior during the UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid.
“The club informs that it has suspended five members and canceled their Red Passes following the initiation of disciplinary processes, which could lead to the maximum sanction under the club’s statutes: expulsion,” the club said in a brief statement.
During the Champions League match on February 17, footage shared on social media—and submitted to UEFA by Real Madrid—showed members imitating monkeys in a racist attack on Vinícius Júnior, who scored the decisive goal in the 1-0 win at Estádio da Luz. One week later, the Brazilian international also scored in the 2-1 win for the Spanish side at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Benfica stated that the disciplinary proceedings follow an internal investigation into “inappropriate behavior in the stands of a racist nature, incompatible with the values and principles that govern the club.”
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After scoring in the first half at Luz, Vinícius Júnior received a yellow card for his celebrations and had an altercation with Gianluca Prestianni, whom he accused of making racist insults, prompting UEFA to suspend the Argentine while a disciplinary inquiry is ongoing.
French referee François Letexier interrupted the match and activated the anti-racism protocol, resuming play nearly 10 minutes later after confusion in the technical area and objects thrown onto the pitch by fans.
“Sport Lisboa e Benfica reaffirms that it does not tolerate any form of discrimination or racism and will continue to act firmly whenever behaviors contradict the values of the club, sport, and society,” the statement concluded, referring to the suspended members.
