Real Madrid sends UEFA evidence of alleged racist insult against Vinicius Junior
MADRID — Real Madrid has sent UEFA “all available evidence” of the alleged racist insult against Vinícius Júnior in the Champions League match against Benfica.
“Our club has actively collaborated with the investigation opened by UEFA following the unacceptable episodes of racism experienced during that match,” the club said on Thursday without elaborating on the evidence.
UEFA appointed a special investigator on Wednesday to gather evidence about what happened in Lisbon in Madrid’s 1-0 win over Benfica in the first leg of the knockout round of the Champions League.
Vinícius accused Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni of calling him “monkey” after the Brazilian scored the only goal. Prestianni was among the Benfica players upset with Vinícius after the forward celebrated by the Benfica corner flag.
Prestianni covered his mouth with his shirt when he allegedly spoke to the Brazilian player and denied racially abusing Vinícius, who is Black and has been subjected to repeated racist insults in Spain.
“Real Madrid appreciates the unanimous support, backing, and affection that our player Vinicius Jr. has received from all areas of the global football community,” the club said. “Real Madrid will continue working, in collaboration with all institutions, to eradicate racism, violence, and hate in sports and society.”
Benfica said Prestianni was the victim of a “defamation campaign” and welcomed the investigation opened by UEFA on Wednesday, saying it “fully supports and believes the version presented” by Prestianni.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday he was “shocked and saddened to see the incident of alleged racism” and praised the referee for activating the anti-racism protocol during the match, which was halted for nearly 10 minutes at the Stadium of Light.
Is NFL star Puka Nacua, 24, dating wrestler Charlotte Flair, 39, after shooting his shot with Sydney Sweeney?
Is NFL star Puka Nacua, 24, dating wrestler Charlotte Flair, 39, after shooting his shot with Sydney Sweeney? originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
NFL star Puka Nacua is single and ready to mingle.
The LA Rams stud, 24, famously (and hilariously) tried to flirt with Sydney Sweeney by commenting “love skydiving” on a post on X (formerly Twitter) where she shared that she liked her guys “athletic.”
Then he was seen with influencer Hannah Stocking.
So when he hit the infamous Daytona 500 party scene with his big brother Samson, the chatter began the second fans spotted flirty pics (published in a Wednesday, February 18 story in the Daily Mail) of the guys with none other than superstar wrestler Charlotte Flair, 39, daughter of Ric Flair.
The three-time divorcee is 15 years older than the long-haired wide receiver.
After the two followed each other on Instagram, Flair posted a Wednesday, February 18 photo of her enviably chiseled core in a tiny, ab-baring workout ‘fit.
“Vibes!!” Nacua commented.
“Always!” Flair replied.
Fans didn’t let the moment go unnoticed.
“Are you two together?” asked one.
“Seriously? 👑🔥” said another.
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“She was having a blast at the Daytona 500 with both Puka and his brother Samson and literally everyone else,” the Daily Mail quotes a source in the same article. “It was a big party and everyone was just having the time of their lives.”
In fact, the same source told the outlet that fans might have it all wrong — and Flair might have her eye on the older brother.
'If she was flirting with anyone specifically, she was flirting with Samson and he was giving it right back,” Daily Mail quotes the witness.
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Texas targets Alabama commit JaBarrius Garror for June visit
The Longhorns are vying for the 96th-ranked player nationally, who posted a standout 2024 season with 104 tackles and 21.5 sacks. With visits to Texas A&M and Alabama already set, Garror's trip to Austin offers a critical opportunity for Steve Sarkisian's staff to secure the elite pass rusher.
Garror, ranked the second-best player from Alabama, has offers from Auburn and Florida State. If he flips, Texas would add a dynamic defensive end with over 200 tackles and 42 sacks across the last two seasons.