With the 2026 World Cup drawing closer, people around the globe are turning their heads towards the game of soccer. We constantly hear talk of bringing the game into the future, progressing into a new era of inclusivity, unity, and fairness. However, even as clubs, players, and organizations make gestures to exhibit this progress, racism continues to be an issue that reveals itself in some of the biggest games of the year. In a February Champions League knockout match between Benfica and Real Madrid, an Argentine, Gianluca Prestianni, was accused of racially abusing Madrid player Vinicius Junior. 

This incident occurred briefly after the start of the second half, following an astonishing top-corner goal from Vini Jr. The game appeared to be going as expected, with Real Madrid now gaining a 1-0 lead over their opponents. However, just as the game was about to resume with a kick-off for Benfica, the match was halted by the referee. 

Prestianni was seen approaching Vinicus Jr. before raising his shirt and covering his mouth. Vinicius Junior alleged that Prestianni hurled racist insults at him, inappropriately comparing him to an animal.

Currently, according to ESPN, Prestianni is being investigated by the European governing body UEFA. He was handed a provisional one-match ban, but “faces more severe punishment if found guilty.” 

Following the incident, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said, “There is absolutely no room for racism in our sport and in society,” representing the position of the major governing bodies of the sport. 

Similarly, an internal investigation was launched after “a few Benfica fans were seen doing monkey gestures from the stands after the match at the Stadium of Light,” per ESPN. The Portuguese club deemed these actions to be “of a racist nature, incompatible with the values and principles” of the club. 

However, this is not the first time Vinicius has been at the receiving end of racist comments. He has experienced several incidents in the Spanish professional league, La Liga. “In March 2022, Mallorca fans made animal noises towards him and told him that he should ‘go pick bananas’” (BBC Sports). 

In a similar way, following a match between Real Madrid and F.C. Barcelona, “LaLiga released a statement saying that it had identified ‘intolerable racist conduct’ aimed at Vinicius — with shouts of ‘Vinicius, die’ from the crowd” (ESPN). 

Globally, teams and leagues have tried to prevent these occurrences and have discouraged fans from participating in racism. Yet, even on the largest stages, like the Champions League, we see fans and players engage in racism and perpetuate hate in a shameless fashion. So, people are left wondering if these incidents can even be prevented or if racism has simply grown to be a constant part of the global soccer culture. 

Leagues investigate and punish teams, and teams investigate and punish fans, and some fans are even investigated by the police, ending up in court and receiving convictions. But even then, as punishments grow harsher and investigations deeper, the racism continues. So, what can anyone do to change this? As fans of the game and as people sharing this planet, we may not be able to change the minds of racist sports fans, but our voices can be louder, and our message can be one of acceptance, unity, and respect.