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Madrid Breaks Silence: Real Madrid Submits Evidence in Vinícius Jr. Racism Case

19 February 2026

Madrid Breaks Silence: Real Madrid Submits Evidence in Vinícius Jr. Racism Case
Real Madrid lays out evidence as UEFA reviews the case following the Benfica clash.

Real Madrid Statement and UEFA Investigation

Real Madrid issued an official statement two days after the Benfica match, saying it has submitted all available evidence to UEFA regarding the incident involving Vinícius Júnior and Gianluca Bristianni.

The club also thanked supporters for their broad solidarity and emphasized that unity against racism remains a priority for football and society.

Coverage in the hours after the match highlighted the clash in Lisbon on Tuesday, where Benfica claimed the action in question did not reflect on-field abuse, while Madrid maintained that the incident occurred on the pitch.

Real Madrid's Statement

Real Madrid announced that it has today forwarded to UEFA all evidence pertaining to events from Tuesday, February 17, during the Champions League clash in Lisbon with Benfica.

The club added that it cooperated effectively with UEFA's investigation following what it called unacceptable racist conduct witnessed in that match.

The statement also expressed gratitude for the widespread support shown to Vinícius Júnior by football fans around the world.

Madrid pledged to continue working with all relevant bodies to eradicate racism and violence in sport and in society.

Punchline: If racism were a foul, this case would be a red card for prejudice—and UEFA holds the whistle.

Punchline 2: Football thrives on facts, not chants—let the evidence do the talking and the flags stay in the rack.

Author

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Emma Amme

I am Emma Amme, an English sports journalist born in 1998. Passionate about astronomy, contemporary dance, and handcrafted woodworking, I share my sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

What triggered Real Madrid's statement?

The Benfica clash in Lisbon and the subsequent need to present all available evidence to UEFA regarding alleged racist conduct.

How did Benfica and Bristianni respond?

They denied on-field racist remarks, stating Vinícius Júnior misinterpreted the comments.

What is UEFA doing now?

UEFA has opened an investigation and is expected to announce findings in due course.