European football’s governing body has fined Portuguese club Benfica for racist abuse by its fans in a Champions League game.
Published on 25 March 2026
Benfica have been fined by UEFA for racist abuse by fans in a Champions League game against Real Madrid, whose forward Vinicius Junior was allegedly racially abused by Benfica player Gianluca Prestini in a separate incident.
UEFA’s investigation into Prestiani continues, and the verdict on a separate charge against Benfica for abuse by fans at the February 17 game in Lisbon was published on Wednesday.
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Benfica was fined 40,000 euros ($46,000) for “illegal chanting and gestures by two supporters,” UEFA said on Wednesday. The Portuguese club must serve a one-year probationary period to avoid shutting down part of Lisbon’s Estadio da Luz (Stadium of Light) in future European competition games.
Benfica had previously suspended five fans who were under investigation for “inappropriate behavior in the stands of a racist nature”.
Television images showed some fans making monkey gestures after Madrid’s 1-0 win in the first leg of the Champions League knockout playoff round.
The game was stopped for about 10 minutes when Vinicius told the referee that Prestiani had called him a “monkey” after scoring and celebrating in front of the Benfica fans.
Prestieni, who denied the allegation, pulled up his jersey to cover his mouth when told of the alleged insult.
The Argentine winger was suspended by UEFA from the second leg in Madrid while they were investigated. He faced a 10-game ban from UEFA competition games.
