Benfica have disputed allegations of racist abuse made by Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr against their player Gianluca Prestianni, releasing pitchside footage in the early hours of Wednesday morning that they claim exonerates the Argentinian.
The Portuguese club posted the video on social media at 2am, arguing that the physical distance between the players during Tuesday night's Champions League encounter at the Estadio de Luz made it impossible for the Madrid stars to have heard any alleged remarks.
"As the images demonstrate, given the distance, the Real Madrid players could not have heard what they claim to have heard," the club's official account stated, a response that sparked significant criticism from supporters online.
The match was suspended for approximately 10 minutes after referee Francois Letexier signalled reported racial abuse using a crossed arms gesture, with the Brazilian winger identified as the target.
The incident occurred as the 25-year-old returned to the centre circle following his opening goal, when Prestianni allegedly directed a comment towards him while covering his mouth with his shirt.
Vinicius has claimed the Benfica player called him a "monkey," an account supported by teammate Kylian Mbappe who was nearby during the exchange.
However, conflicting reports emerged when fellow Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni told journalists that Prestianni had allegedly used a homophobic slur rather than a racist one, adding further complexity to the disputed incident.
Como demonstram as imagens, dada a distância, os jogadores do Real Madrid não podem ter ouvido o que andam a dizer que ouviram. pic.twitter.com/7JF9AVuhEM
— SL Benfica (@SLBenfica) February 18, 2026
Jose Mourinho's handling of the situation has attracted widespread condemnation, with the Benfica manager appearing to place blame on the Real Madrid forward for his exuberant goal celebration.
Speaking to Amazon Prime following the fixture, the former Chelsea and Manchester United boss suggested Vinicius had provoked his players.
"When you score a goal like that you celebrate in a respectful way," Mourinho stated.
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Jose Mourinho suggested that Vinicius Jr had provoked Benfica's players with his celebration for Real Madrid
|GETTY
Asked directly whether the Brazilian had "incited" the Benfica squad and supporters, he replied: "Yeah, I believe so."
The Portuguese coach revealed he had spoken with Vinicius during the lengthy stoppage, telling him that "the biggest person in the history of this club was black" and insisting Benfica could not be considered racist.
Mourinho also suggested a pattern existed, stating: "Every stadium that Vinicius plays in something happens. Always."
Television pundits reacted with dismay to Mourinho's remarks, with former AC Milan star Clarence Seedorf accusing him of making "a big mistake" by appearing to justify racist behaviour.
"He said wherever he goes these things happen, so he's saying it's okay when Vinicius provokes you, that it is okay to be racist and I think that is very wrong," Seedorf told Amazon Prime.
Vinicius Jr scored the only goal of the game as Real Madrid beat Benfica | GETTYCBS Sports analysts Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards pointed to the manager's own history of provocative behaviour as evidence of double standards.
"This is a guy who celebrates and antagonises the opposition probably more than any coach has ever done in the past," Carragher observed, recalling Mourinho's infamous touchline sprint at Old Trafford in 2004.
Richards expressed personal disappointment, saying: "I expect better from him because he is a powerful person within the sport."
The ex-Manchester City star also branded Prestianni a 'coward'.