Anti-Racism Football Protocol: Four Shocking Flaws That Left Vinícius Without Justice

The anti-racism football protocol coming into play isn’t something fans want to see on the pitch, yet it has become a recurring nightmare for Real Madrid. From the Club World Cup clash with Pachuca in June last year to Tuesday’s UCL battle in Lisbon, the protocol’s ‘X’ gesture serves as a dark warning.

Its implementation is never a positive sign. Instead, it serves as a worrying signal that the game has been marred by unacceptable behaviour and discriminatory language – conduct that has no place in football or society at large.

Before the match, revenge may have been the dominant emotion driving the Real Madrid players as they prepared to face Benfica. Just weeks earlier in the Champions League round of eight, Jose Mourinho’s side had handed Alvaro Arbeloa’s team a 4-2 defeat, and that result likely fueled the intensity that was evident from kickoff.

The clash between Real Madrid and Benfica should have been about a stunning goal and elite European football. Instead, the spotlight shifted to the anti-racism football protocol that was activated after an alleged racist remark.

What Actually Happened?

Was Vinicius “at Fault” For the Melee?

Jose Mourinho, Benfica’s head coach, claimed after the match that Vinícius Júnior was the instigator of the incident, arguing that the Brazilian’s “samba” dance celebration was “disrespectful” and triggered the scuffle by provoking the home supporters.

After scoring one of the standout goals of this season’s Champions League campaign, Vinicius celebrated by dancing in front of the Benfica supporters – a moment that sparked an angry reaction from sections of the crowd, with objects thrown toward him and other Real Madrid players.

In Lisbon, it was more than just coming together of players over a disagreement or the manner in which a goal was celebrated. It is a textbook example of modern football toxicity at its absolute worst. When a player’s joy is met with flying objects and racial slurs, it reveals a deeper problem, such as a fractured sporting culture where tribalism has completely overridden human decency.

Whether Vinicius was at fault for the brawl between both sets of players is up for intense debate. But one thing is important. The “Red line” should not be crossed when emotions boil over – celebrations are part of the game, yet discrimination, abuse, or any form of personal attack has no place in the game, regardless of the circumstances.

As the players made their way back to their half, Gianluca Prestianni met up with Vinicius and with his shirt pulled over his mouth said some words that the Real Madrid attacker claims were racial in nature, making referee Francois Letexier immediately signal the anti-racism football protocol, crossing his arms in an “X” – the official FIFA gesture introduced in 2024 to combat discriminatory abuse.

What followed was a ten-minutes stoppage of the game. That pause was the anti-racism football protocol working exactly as designed: stop the match, acknowledge the incident, allow tensions to settle. If abuse continues, suspend. If it persists, abandon the game completely.

On the surface, it functioned correctly. It empowered the player, forced the referee to act and made discrimination impossible to ignore in the moment.

The Anti-Racism Football Protocol and Its Biggest Weakness

Should More Have Been Done During the 10-Minute Stoppage?

Vinícius feels more should have been done. His teammates – and everyone who stands firmly against racism – feel the same.

Without meaningful punishment, the anti-racism football protocol risks feeling like nothing more than a 10-minutes water break. Play resumes, the crowd settles, and football continues as if nothing happened.

But for the player subjected to abuse, the sense of injustice lingers. So what are the best ways forward?

Review of Audio/VAR

In 2026, stadiums already use extensive surveillance. Integrating more advanced pitch-side microphones would allow for audio review systems and would make it harder for offenders to hide behind shirts over their mouths or crowd noise.

Critics suggest the anti-racism football protocol should include a mandatory, high-level review of all available broadcast and pitch-side microphones during stoppages. This involves locating the nearest and clearest available audio from microphones positioned close to the players, in order to accurately determine the exact words that were spoken.

During the post-match interview, Real Madrid captain Federico Valverde noted it was “unbelievable” that with dozens of cameras, no recording was found.

Removal of the Alleged Abuser

If, during the ten-minute stoppage, an audio review had confirmed that racist remarks were directed at a player, it should result in an automatic red card, which would show zero tolerance for discriminatory behaviour, and anyone found guilty of such conduct should have no place on the pitch,

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Stronger Stadium Warnings

Although an announcement was made, the fact that fans continued to throw objects later in the match suggests the anti-racism football protocol’s “public warning” phase was too weak to deter the home crowd.

Stadium warnings should go beyond a routine announcement over the speakers and, if possible, should be displayed on the screens in the stadium. It should be a stern, deliberate, visible, and escalating messages designed to make it absolutely clear that discriminatory behaviour will not be tolerated.

Automatic Sporting Sanctions

If meaningful sanctions are not imposed on any player found guilty of racist behaviour, the desired impact on the game will simply not be achieved. Consequences must be strong enough to act as a real deterrent.

Individual sanctions, like bans from UEFA competitions spanning multiple seasons, would reinforce that racism carries career-altering consequences.

Beyond individual punishment, clubs should also face meaningful accountability, such as significant points deductions and substantial financial penalties.

And if Prestianni is ultimately found guilty after proper investigation, he should face disciplinary action proportionate to the severity of the offence.

Why Vinícius Feels the Anti-Racism Football Protocol Still Falls Short

For the Brazilian, getting justice in this case will be challenging, as it comes down to his word against Prestianni’s – highlighting the remaining weaknesses in the anti-racism football protocol.

There was no clear audio. No visible lip-reading evidence. The alleged offender covered his mouth. Without proof, the befitting punishment cannot be meted out to the offender.

And that is the uncomfortable reality. The anti-racism protocol is procedural. It creates interruption. It creates awareness. But without enforceable consequences, will it truly deter future incidents?

Vinícius later criticised what he saw as a “poorly executed protocol.” His frustration highlights the core flaw: the anti-racism football protocol protects the moment, but does it protect the victim long term?

UEFA will investigate. But investigations tied to it often depend on evidence that is increasingly difficult to capture in real time.

Main Photo

Credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Recording Date: 17.02.2026