‘It’s DISGUSTING’: Trent Alexander-Arnold fumes after Real Madrid team-mate Vinicius Jr accuses opponent of racism in clash with Benfica, as match is stopped for 10 minutes after referee activated new protocol

Real Madrid’s Champions League match against Benfica was thrown into chaos after Vinicius Jr. was racially abused and teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold described the scenes as a “disgrace to football”.

Jose Mourinho and a member of the Benfica team were also shown a red card on the evening of the concert at the Estadio de Luz, where the game was stopped for 10 minutes after referee Francois Letexier made a cross-arms gesture to report racist abuse.

Vinicius, who has since branded racists ‘cowards’ in a statement, scored the first and last goal of the game before being booked by referee Francois Letexier for a dancing celebration that angered the home fans.

The 25-year-old player was angry at something allegedly said by Argentinian Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni, who put his shirt to his mouth while walking towards the midfield with his teammates and talking to the Madrid star after the goal.

While Vinicius claims that he was called a ‘monkey’, reports in Portugal claim that the word used against him was actually a homophobic slur.

Alexander-Arnold said the post-match scenes were ‘disgusting’, while Mourinho claimed Vinicius had provoked his players by celebrating and that the Brazilian was ‘not just happy to score this surprising goal’.

Argentinian Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni was seen commenting on Vinicius

Jose Mourinho spoke to Brazilian Madrid winger after alleged incident

Referee Francois Letexier crossed his arms to indicate reported racist abuse

“I think (Vinicius provoked the players and the crowd),” Mourinho said in his post-match interview with Amazon Prime Video.

‘Prestianni’s words to Vinicius, I want to remain independent. I don’t want to say I believe Prestianni and I don’t believe Vinicius, because they told me two completely different things. I want to be independent and I don’t comment on it.’

‘That’s exactly what I said (to Vinicius). I said, ‘When you score a goal like that, be happy and stand back,’ and while he was discussing racism, I told him that the greatest person in the history of this club (Eusebio) was black.

‘The last thing this club can do is racist. So if there’s anything about it in his mind, it’s Benfica.’

When asked if Prestianni denied racially abusing the Madrid star, he replied: ‘Yes. But I don’t believe in one or the other, I want to be independent.’

Faced with the fact that Vinicius had been subjected to racist abuse in the past, Mourinho said: ‘There is something wrong, because it happens in every stadium. ‘There’s always something going on in a stadium where Vinicius plays.’

Former Madrid manager and Benfica boss Mourinho was seen speaking to Vinicius on the pitch before the winger sat in the away dugout as the match was paused for both teams’ coaching staff and players to take to the field.

The Madrid star later issued his own statement, branding racists “above all, cowards”.

Vinicius sat on the Madrid bench after alleged abuse as tensions spread in Lisbon

Mourinho receives red card for apparently calling for Vinicius to be sent off for foul

‘They have to put their shirts over their mouths to show how skinny they are,’ Vinicius’ statement began.

‘But they have the protection of others who are theoretically obliged to punish them.

‘Nothing that happened today is new in my life or the life of my team. I got a yellow card for celebrating a goal. I still don’t understand why.

‘On the other hand, it was a poorly implemented protocol that served no purpose.

‘I don’t like to show up in situations like this, especially after a big win and when the headlines have to be about Real Madrid, but it’s necessary.’

Kylian Mbappe was among those visibly angered by what happened, with the French striker having to be stopped by his team-mates. He has since said that Vinicius should ‘dance as much as he wants and never stop’.

Fellow Madrid star Trent Alexander-Arnold described the scenes after the match as ‘disgusting’.

“I can’t comment too much on that because there’s probably an ongoing investigation… but I think what happened tonight is a shame for football,” the England international said.

Vinicius received a yellow card for apparently angering the crowd while celebrating his opening

‘It overshadowed the performance, especially after such a magnificent goal. Vini has been subjected to this several times throughout his career and for this to happen tonight and ruin the night is a disgrace for us, a disgrace for football.

‘There’s no room for this in society.’ Disgusting.’

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney added: ‘I think it’s very sad that we still have to deal with this in this day and age.

‘Football is a game that brings so much joy, love and passion around the world and yet we come across key moments like this where we’re allegedly recruiting players, I think you have to say that because you don’t know if he said it or not.

‘But we still experience this in football, in the world and in society, and it is very sad that in this day and age all the joyful moments are overshadowed by this.’

Rooney also hit out at Mourinho’s post-match comments: ‘Listen, he’s trying to stay independent but I think what he said about Vinicius in every stadium was very unfair.

‘He said it in a way that people can make up their own minds. I think that’s a bit unfair.’

Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg said on Amazon Prime Video after the incident that Vinicius was ‘not happy with what was said’.

Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold described these scenes as a ‘disgrace to football’

He added: ‘The referee is following protocol after a racist comment was made.

“When Vinicius approaches the referee, the referee must now comply with the protocols and rules set by UEFA.”

‘As a referee, I have encountered this situation before when players made racist comments on the field of play. All he can do is prepare the report. Later, UEFA will deal with this issue. As a referee, our job is very difficult in this situation.’

Commenting on the comment, Alan Shearer added: ‘We don’t know what was said to him. We see Jose Mourinho there and he talks to the Real Madrid team and Vini Jr. to calm him down.

‘Isn’t it such a shame? We must mention the excellent skill and how it produces a piece of magic that this game needs.

‘Cool heads are needed because you can hear the crowd going after the players – no matter how hard.’

Shortly after the restart – to whistling and jeering from the fans – Mourinho was sent off for calling for Vinicius to be shown a second yellow card for a foul on Richard Rios.

One of the Benfica coaches was also shown a red card during the game’s suspension, but it is not clear why.

Vinicius danced in front of the corner flag after scoring the game’s opening and winning goal

Chaos continued in Lisbon during the 12-minute stoppage, and the game was briefly stopped by the referee after missiles were thrown onto the field repeatedly.

Shortly before the final whistle, a bottle was thrown from a crowd standing in a corner and hit Vinicius’ arm.

The Brazilian Football Federation issued a statement condemning ‘yet another act of racism’ that Vinicius was allegedly subjected to.

‘Racism is a crime. This is unacceptable. “This cannot happen in football or anywhere else,” they said.

‘Vini, you are not alone. Your decision to activate the protocol is an example of courage and honor.

‘We are proud of you. ‘We will continue our determination in the fight against all kinds of discrimination. We are with you. Always’.

It is unclear what was said to the Madrid star in Portugal but he has been the victim of racist insults in the past.

Once, three Valencia fans were sentenced to prison for abusing him after an incident during a LaLiga match in May 2023 that left him in tears.

Mourinho said Prestianni denied racially abusing the 25-year-old in his post-match interview

The fans were each sentenced to eight months in prison and banned from attending football matches for two years; This was the first penalty given to a football player in Spain for racist abuse.

Responding to the convictions at the time, the Brazilian said: ‘Many people asked me to ignore it, many said that my struggle was in vain and that I should just ‘play football’. But as I always say, I am not a victim of racism. I am someone who persecutes racists.

‘This first criminal conviction in the history of Spain is not for me. It is for all black people. Let other racists be afraid, ashamed, and hide in the shadows. Otherwise, I’ll be here to collect.

“Thank you to La Liga and Real Madrid for helping with this historic decision. More to come…’