Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has issued a public apology following widespread criticism of his commentary during Real Madrid’s Champions League match against Benfica, in which he appeared to criticise Vinicius Junior’s response to an alleged racist incident.
The controversy erupted during Tuesday evening’s match at the Santiago Bernabeu, when the Brazilian forward accused Benfica defender Gianluca Prestiani of directing a racist insult towards him whilst covering his mouth with his shirt.
Vinicius had earlier scored the match’s only goal with a spectacular strike before celebrating with a dance in front of the away supporters.
Whilst providing live commentary for Amazon Prime Video, Clattenburg suggested that Vinicius had made the situation difficult for the referee, stating that the player should have simply celebrated and stepped back, and that he had not behaved appropriately.
Public backlash prompts apology
The former English referee’s remarks prompted immediate and sharp criticism across social media platforms and from football commentators, with many characterising his response as a serious misjudgement given the gravity of the racism allegation.
Clattenburg, who previously served as head of refereeing committees in both Egypt and Saudi Arabia, subsequently posted an apology on X, formerly Twitter, acknowledging his error.
He stated that nothing justifies racism in sport or life, and thanked those who provided him the opportunity to explain the situation.
In his statement, the 49-year-old referee admitted his mistake, explaining that the broadcast was live and his role required quick responses, but acknowledged that his choice of words was both unfortunate and inappropriate.
He added that he was already learning from the experience and appreciated colleagues who handled the situation with professionalism.
Ongoing racism concerns in football
The incident highlights continuing concerns about racism in European football and the appropriate response from officials, commentators, and authorities when such allegations arise.
Vinicius Junior has been subjected to multiple instances of racist abuse during his time in Spain, prompting calls for stronger sanctions and improved protection for players.
The Brazilian international’s celebration, which some observers suggested was deliberately provocative, occurred in a match atmosphere already charged with tension.
However, critics argued that Clattenburg’s commentary appeared to place responsibility on the victim rather than addressing the alleged racist behaviour.
Real Madrid secured a 1-0 victory in the Champions League fixture, with Vinicius’s goal proving decisive.
The club has not yet issued an official statement regarding the alleged incident, whilst UEFA is expected to review match reports and available evidence as part of standard post-match procedures.
Clattenburg’s swift apology demonstrates growing awareness of the sensitivities surrounding racism in football, though the incident underscores ongoing challenges in ensuring appropriate responses from all stakeholders when such serious allegations emerge during live sporting events.
