World football’s governing body has thrown its weight behind Vinícius Júnior after the Brazilian star was allegedly subjected to racist abuse during a UEFA Champions League clash between SL Benfica and Real Madrid CF.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he was “shocked and saddened” by the reported incident, reiterating that racism has no place in football or society.

“There is absolutely no room for racism in our sport and in society – we need all the relevant stakeholders to take action and hold those responsible to account,” Infantino said in a statement.

“FIFA and football show full solidarity to victims of racism and any form of discrimination… No to racism! No to any form of discrimination!”

Anti-racism protocol

The alleged abuse occurred during a heated Champions League encounter, prompting referee François Letexier to activate UEFA’s anti-racism protocol.

Letexier used the crossed-arms gesture — a signal introduced in recent years to empower players and officials to respond immediately to discriminatory behaviour — to halt proceedings and address the situation inside the stadium.

The episode adds to a troubling pattern that has followed Vinícius in recent seasons. The 25-year-old winger has repeatedly been targeted by racist chants in Spanish stadiums, most notably during a 2023 La Liga match against Valencia, which sparked global outrage, arrests and renewed debate about racism in European football.

Spanish authorities later secured convictions in a landmark case widely viewed as a turning point in tackling abuse in the sport.

FIFA said its Global Stand Against Racism initiative and the Players’ Voice Panel were created to strengthen reporting mechanisms and ensure that players, officials and fans are protected when incidents occur.

Vinícius has become one of the most vocal figures in football’s fight against racism, previously stating that discriminatory abuse is not just a personal attack but a broader societal issue that must be confronted collectively.