UEFA can make the fight against racism more than a slogan: Real Madrid coach Arbeloa

Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa called on European football governing body UEFA to make the fight against racism more than just a slogan after the alleged abuse of star Vinicius Junior on Tuesday.

UEFA has provisionally suspended Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni for the first leg of the Champions League against Real Madrid, after Vinicius accused him of racist abuse in the first leg last week.

If UEFA finds at the end of its investigation into the incident that Prestianni, who argued with the Brazilian while holding his shirt over his mouth, abused Vinicius, he will be suspended for a minimum of ten matches.

“We have a great opportunity to mark a turning point in the fight against racism,” Arbeloa told reporters.

“UEFA, which has always taken the lead in the fight against racism, now has the opportunity to go beyond a slogan, to a nice banner for the matches, and I hope they seize this opportunity.”

READ ALSO: Benfica’s Prestianni suspended for Real Madrid Champions League match due to alleged racism

Vinicius scored a brilliant goal in the first leg, allowing Real Madrid to claim a 1-0 win, before the alleged abuse led to the match being halted for around ten minutes.

Arbeloa said he believed Vinicius will flourish at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday as the record 15-time champions attempt to reach the last 16.

“Vinicius Junior has always shown great courage and character,” said Arbeloa.

“That’s always his reaction, it always has been and I think it always will be rfv4.

“He is a fighter and I am sure he will fight tomorrow and have a great match and continue to show that he is one of the best players in the world.”

Courtois supports Vinicius

Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois backed the 25-year-old winger despite Prestianni and Benfica insisting there was no racist abuse.

«(Benfica) are going to believe what their player says and we are 100 percent behind Vini, because Vini has had thousands of fights on the pitch with defenders, there have been many clashes with players and he has never said anything like this (happened),» Courtois told reporters.

“When Prestianni covered his mouth with his shirt, we can never know, and I think Benfica will ultimately defend their player.

«There is not much more we can do and then it is up to UEFA and the institutions to decide what they want to decide.»

The Belgian stopper said he disagreed with Benfica coach Jose Mourinho’s words after the match, with the veteran Portuguese manager attacking Vinicius for what he perceived as a disrespectful celebration.

«At the end of the day, Mourinho is Mourinho. As a coach, I think you always defend your club and what your player has told you,» said Courtois.

“The only thing that disappoints me a little is the use of Vini’s celebration, I don’t think Vini did anything wrong there…

“I don’t think we can justify alleged racism because of a party.”

Vinicius has been repeatedly abused by opposition supporters since arriving at Real Madrid. Video footage showed some Benfica fans making monkey gestures at the attacker last week.

“I think as a society we need to be less stupid,” Courtois added.

Benfica have appealed against Prestianni’s provisional one-match suspension to try to make him available for the clash against Madrid.

“Prestianni is being labeled as a racist person, and I can assure you that he is anything but racist,” Benfica president Rui Costa told reporters earlier on Tuesday.

Published on February 24, 2026