The fallout from an alleged racist incident in the UEFA Champions League play-off has taken a troubling new turn, with former Real Madrid and Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder claiming he has received around 4,000 death threats after publicly defending Vinícius Júnior.
The controversy stems from the first leg of the play-off tie between Real Madrid and SL Benfica, which the Spanish side won 1–0. During the match, Vinícius became embroiled in a heated exchange near the corner flag with Benfica’s young Argentine winger Gianluca Prestianni.
According to Real Madrid players, Prestianni directed a racist insult at the Brazilian forward. French midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni stated that Vinícius informed his team-mates he had been called a “monkey”. Kylian Mbappé went further, alleging that the slur had been repeated five times.
UEFA opened an investigation and imposed a provisional one-match suspension on Prestianni while disciplinary proceedings were under way. The Argentine appealed but was unsuccessful, meaning he was forced to watch the return leg from the stands rather than participate on the pitch. UEFA’s swift action reflects its longstanding public commitment to combating racism within European football, though such incidents continue to cast a shadow over the sport.
Sneijder, now working as a television pundit in the Netherlands, spoke forcefully about the matter during a broadcast. He criticised Prestianni’s conduct, arguing that if the winger had something to say, he should have done so openly rather than covering his mouth while speaking. “It is disgraceful that people still call black players ‘monkeys’,” Sneijder remarked, adding pointedly that Prestianni has black team-mates and questioning how they might view the alleged remarks.
Soon after making those comments, Sneijder claims he became the target of a torrent of online abuse. “It is a terrible situation,” he said. “In the past week alone I have received 4,000 death threats from Argentina. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. Those threatening me have theirs, and I have mine, based on what I see.”
Key Details of the Controversy
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | UEFA Champions League Play-off |
| Match Result | Real Madrid 1–0 Benfica (first leg) |
| Allegation | Racist insult directed at Vinícius Júnior |
| Accused Player | Gianluca Prestianni |
| Disciplinary Action | One-match provisional suspension |
| Subsequent Development | Sneijder reports 4,000 death threats |
The episode once again highlights the persistent challenge of racism in football, as well as the increasingly toxic nature of online discourse. While governing bodies may act swiftly on incidents within stadiums, the digital arena remains far harder to police. For Sneijder, what began as a principled stance against discrimination has escalated into a deeply unsettling personal ordeal — one that underscores the volatile intersection of sport, identity and social media.