"Vinicius Junior and his teammates appeared ready to walk off and the game was put on hold for 10 minutes after the Brazilian told the referee that he had been subject to racist abuse after scoring the goal that gives Real Madrid a 1-0 first-leg lead in their Champions League playoff against Benfica. Vinicius had celebrated the strike dancing in the corner of the Estadio da Luz and in the confrontations that followed, Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni said something to him while covering his mouth."
"Vinicius immediately ran to the referee, Francois Letexier, who stopped the match and crossed his arms to signal that he was doing so because of an accusation of racist abuse. Both managers came on to the pitch and Vinicius spoke to Jose Mourinho to explain what had happened. Conversations and confrontations continued as Vinicius sat alone on the bench, but eventually they restarted with the Brazilian on the pitch."
"The noise that accompanied Benfica's attempts to get back into it, and a red card for Mourinho as he protested a late foul on the edge of the Madrid area, were unable to eclipse the feeling that there was something empty, something sadder, about the occasion now, like this match no longer mattered. Its lasting legacy will not be about the football."
Vinicius Junior scored to give Real Madrid a 1-0 first-leg lead and celebrated by dancing in the corner at Estadio da Luz. He reported racist abuse from Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni, who had covered his mouth while speaking to Vinicius. Referee Francois Letexier stopped the match and signalled an accusation of racist abuse, leading to a ten-minute halt as both managers entered the pitch and discussions continued. The game resumed with Vinicius back on the field, but a stadium atmosphere and later a red card for Jose Mourinho left the occasion feeling hollow and overshadowed by the incident. Alvaro Arbeloa’s tactical changes gave Madrid greater midfield solidity, limiting Benfica’s chances despite their bright start.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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