FIFA has classified racism as a specific offense carrying severe sanctions, including potential match forfeiture, introducing the strongest disciplinary measures in football history in direct response to the Benfica-Real Madrid incident involving Vinícius Júnior.
The governing body has strengthened on-field protocols to allow matches to be paused, suspended, or abandoned when racist abuse occurs. A new universal gesture, crossing arms at the wrists, now empowers players to report incidents directly to referees.
Referee Francois Letexier activated this precise protocol during the Champions League clash at Benfica, halting play for ten minutes after Vinícius reported discriminatory language from Gianluca Prestianni.
Prestianni has now threatened to sue Real Madrid, Vinícius Júnior, and Kylian Mbappé if UEFA clears him in its investigation. The Benfica midfielder maintains he directed an anti-gay slur at Vinícius but emphatically denies calling him “mono” or making any racist remark.
Mbappé told reporters he heard Prestianni say “monkey, monkey, monkey” while covering his mouth with his shirt. Benfica fully supports Prestianni and stands ready to assist in lawsuits against the Madrid players for allegedly escalating the case.
FIFA is pushing for racism to become a criminal offense in all member countries. The organization will launch mandatory education programs alongside schools and governments worldwide.
An anti-racism panel composed of former players from different continents will monitor and advise on compliance. The panel includes figures like former France defender Mikel Silvestre, who advises FIFA on anti-racism initiatives.
Benfica-Madrid aside
The measures arrive as Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana exposed racist abuse received on Instagram after his red card against Burnley. “2026, it’s still the same thing, nothing changes,” Fofana wrote. “These people are never punished”.
Chelsea condemned the abuse as “abhorrent” while Burnley reported messages targeting Hannibal Mejbri to Meta and the police. The Premier League issued support, stating “racism has no place in our game”.
UEFA’s investigation now carries heightened significance as the first test of football’s renewed commitment. Previous cases like Ondrej Kudela’s 10-game ban for abusing Glen Kamara show the minimum suspension players now face if found guilty.
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The Brazilian Football Confederation has demanded exemplary punishments, urging UEFA to identify and sanction those responsible. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he was “shocked and saddened” by the allegations against Vinícius, insisting football must protect its players.
