Racism in football: incidents that stained the sport’s history | OneFootball

Football, which should be a stage for talent and passion, continues to be tainted by prejudice.

The new case of racism suffered by Vinicius Júnior in the Champions League has once again laid bare a wound that the sport insists on not healing.

A Cry of Outrage in Lisbon

Football, a sport famous for its joy and passion, has once again been overshadowed by shame.

On February 17, 2026, at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, Vinicius Júnior experienced yet another regrettable chapter in his career.

During Real Madrid's victory over Benfica, 1-0, the Brazilian forward reported being a victim of racism on the field.

Right after scoring a stunning goal, Vinicius had a disagreement with the Argentine Gianluca Prestianni, who allegedly made a racist remark.

Referee François Letexier stopped the game for about ten minutes and activated UEFA's anti-racism protocol.

The atmosphere became tense, with Real players like Kylian Mbappé considering leaving the pitch in protest.

After the match, Vinicius took to social media to vent: “Racists are, above all, cowards. As long as I am alive, I will fight against this.”

UEFA opened an official investigation and appointed an inspector to analyze the images and testimonies.

If the accusation is confirmed, Prestianni could be suspended for a long period, and Benfica risks fines or disciplinary actions.

The Portuguese club denied that the player used any racist expression and stated they trust in his innocence, but promised full cooperation with the investigation.

Meanwhile, CBF and various international entities expressed support for Vinicius, reinforcing that the fight against racism needs to move from words to concrete action.

+ Click here to discover the best betting houses and seize the best opportunities!

Aranha: The Cry that Shocked Brazil

In 2014, during a Grêmio match in the Copa do Brasil, one of the most notable episodes in Brazilian football occurred.

Goalkeeper Aranha, then a player for Santos, was called a “monkey” by Grêmio fans during a Copa do Brasil match in Porto Alegre.

TV cameras captured the moment, and the repercussion was immediate. Grêmio was excluded from the competition, in one of the harshest penalties ever applied in the country.

Even so, Aranha revealed the emotional burden the case left: “I didn't want to be remembered for this.”

The identified fan was prosecuted, but the punishment was considered light. The case exposed that, although entities are starting to act, prejudice still finds space in the stands.

Neymar and the Fight in France

In 2020, during a classic match between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille, Neymar claimed to have been called a “monkey” by an opponent.

The match ended in chaos, with five expulsions. The episode was investigated by Ligue 1, but was shelved due to lack of evidence.

Neymar vented: “Being called a monkey is the worst thing. I fought for myself and for everyone who goes through this.”

The episode revealed how racism remains present even on the biggest stages of world football, and how the lack of punishment reinforces the feeling of impunity.

Vinicius Júnior and the Fight That Doesn't Stop

The case in Lisbon is not the first — and unfortunately, it may not be the last. Since arriving in Europe, Vinicius Júnior has been the target of racist attacks in matches against Valencia, Atlético de Madrid, and Mallorca.

In many of these games, the offenses were recorded by cameras and witnesses, but the punishments were limited to fines and warnings, considered lenient by human rights entities.

Today, Vinicius is a symbol of resistance in football. His firm stance and public denunciations have turned the forward into an active voice against racism, on and off the field.

“As long as there is racism, there will be no peace in football,” the athlete stated in one of his most recent interviews.

A Problem That Goes Beyond the Field

Racism in football is not just a fan problem, it is a social reflection.

Therefore, experts advocate for measures that go beyond advertising campaigns: education, strict punishment, and psychological support for victims.

As long as players like Vinicius Júnior continue to be targets, football cannot claim to be fully free.

+ Click here to check out the 1 real bets while following the best of world football!

The fight against racism in football is not just a sporting issue, it is a fight for human dignity, waged on and off the field, with every goal, every protest, and every voice that refuses to be silenced.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.