European football’s governing body has fined Portuguese club Benfica for racist abuse by fans during a Champions League match.
Published March 25, 2026
Benfica were fined by UEFA for racist abuse by a fan during their Champions League game against Real Madrid, while forward Vinicius Junior was allegedly racially abused by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni in a separate incident.
UEFA’s investigation into Prestianni is ongoing, with a verdict announced on Wednesday on separate charges against Benfica for fan misconduct at a match in Lisbon on February 17.
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UEFA announced on Wednesday that it had fined Benfica 40,000 euros (approximately $46,000) for “illegal chants and gestures by two supporters.” The Portuguese club must impose a one-year suspension to avoid part of Lisbon’s Estadio da Luz (Stadium of Lights) being closed for future European competitions.
Benfica previously suspended five fans who were under investigation for “racist and inappropriate behavior in the stands”.
Television footage showed some fans making monkey-like gestures after Madrid won 1-0 in the first leg of the Champions League finals.
The match was suspended for nearly 10 minutes when Vinicius, after scoring and celebrating in front of Benfica fans, told the referee that Prestiani had called him a “monkey”.
Prestiani denied the charges, but pulled up his jersey and covered his mouth during the alleged insult.
The Argentina winger has been suspended by UEFA from the second leg in Madrid pending an investigation. He will be suspended for 10 games starting from official UEFA matches.
