Real Madrid footballer Vinicius Junior, who accused opponents of racially abusing him during a Champions League match against Benfica, said that racists are cowards and are protected by those who have a duty to punish them.
"Racists are, first and foremost, cowards. They have to put their jersey over their mouths to show how weak they are. But they have the protection of others who, theoretically, have the obligation to punish them," Vinicius wrote on Instagram after the match.
"Nothing that happened is new in my life, nor in the life of my family. I received a yellow card for celebrating a goal. I still don't understand why. On the other hand, the protocol was poorly implemented and served no purpose," the Brazilian said.
Real Madrid beat Benfica 1-0 in Lisbon last night in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 play-offs, with Vinicius Junior scoring the only goal in the 50th minute.
Vinicius celebrated the goal by dancing at the corner flag in front of the Benfica fans, which they did not like, after which fierce shouts and whistles from the stands began.
Vinicius received a yellow card for celebrating a goal, and then complained to referee Francois Letexieu that Benfica player Gianluca Prestiani had allegedly racially abused him, causing the match to be abandoned.
The Brazilian footballer sat on the bench and did not want to continue the game, and after a 10-minute break, the match at the "Stadium of Light" resumed.
Benfica coach Jose Mourinho was then sent off in the 85th minute for protesting, after asking the referee to show Vinicius a second yellow card for a foul.
The second leg between Real and Benfica is scheduled for next Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Bonus video:
