Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has strongly criticised attempts to justify racist abuse directed at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior, questioning why racism remains a topic of debate in modern football.
The former England international expressed disbelief that discussions about racist behaviour continue in 2026, following an incident during Real Madrid’s Champions League match against Benfica in which the Brazilian alleged he was subjected to racist insults from Argentine defender Gianluca Prestiani.
The controversy erupted at Lisbon’s Estadio da Luz on Tuesday evening after Vinicius scored the only goal in Real Madrid’s 1-0 victory and celebrated with a dance at the corner flag.
The celebration prompted a yellow card from referee Francois Letexier and subsequent confrontations with Benfica players, during which the alleged racist abuse occurred.
Ferdinand praises Real Madrid teammates’ support
Speaking on the matter, Ferdinand commended Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kylian Mbappe for standing alongside their teammate during the incident.
He stated that silence cannot be maintained when such situations arise, emphasising the importance of solidarity against discrimination.
The 47-year-old pundit expressed visible anger at the continuing need to address racism in football, questioning how some observers appeared willing to justify racist language. He described such justifications as completely senseless.
Celebration criticism rejected
Ferdinand directly addressed criticism suggesting Vinicius’s celebration style contributed to the incident, asking whether the Brazilian should not be permitted to celebrate in such manner.
He questioned the connection between goal celebrations and racist abuse, stating such links cannot be accepted.
The former defender argued that celebrations constitute an integral part of football’s appeal, referencing historical examples of expressive goal celebrations from African nations including Cameroon and Nigeria.
He suggested that attempts to suppress such celebrations represent efforts to remove joy from the game.
Ferdinand noted that numerous players throughout football history have celebrated demonstratively, including removing shirts to make statements, emphasising that such behaviour forms part of the sport’s cultural fabric and should not invite discriminatory responses.
Call for stronger sanctions and accountability
The Manchester United legend concluded with direct demands to football authorities, calling for perpetrators of racist abuse to be publicly exposed, formally reprimanded, and appropriately punished without protection from consequences.
Ferdinand stated he could not comprehend why individuals attempt to justify racist behaviour, particularly when triggered merely by a player scoring and celebrating a goal. He described such justifications as defending stupidity.
The incident saw match officials implement FIFA’s anti-racism protocol, halting play for approximately eight minutes before resuming the fixture.
Portuguese authorities have since announced a formal investigation into the allegations, with potential criminal sanctions possible if the claims are substantiated.
Broader debate on racism in football
Ferdinand’s comments reflect wider frustration within football about persistent racist incidents despite years of anti-discrimination campaigns.
Vinicius has experienced multiple instances of alleged racist abuse during his career in Spain, prompting calls for more effective deterrents.
The debate has intensified regarding whether current protocols and sanctions adequately address racism in football.
Critics argue that existing measures have failed to eliminate discriminatory behaviour from stadiums and that more severe consequences are required.
Ferdinand’s intervention adds a prominent voice to demands for stronger action against racism in football.
His emphasis on eliminating justifications for racist behaviour and ensuring appropriate punishment for perpetrators reflects growing impatience with the pace of progress in addressing discrimination within the sport.
