By Kazeem Ajibola Shoyebo
Clashes reportedly broke out outside the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium ahead of Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League clash with S.L. Benfica, with medical personnel treating several visiting supporters, according to Spanish television reports.
Spanish outlet El Chiringuito TV reported that confrontations involving Benfica fans occurred near the stadium perimeter, prompting an emergency response. Footage shared by the broadcaster showed paramedics attending to injured individuals, although the exact number of those affected remained unclear as kick‑off approached.
The disturbances unfolded in the shadow of a highly charged racism controversy linked to last week’s first‑leg tie in Lisbon, which has dominated pre‑match discussions and fan sentiment.
The controversy began during the Champions League knockout play‑off first leg between Real Madrid and Benfica on 17 February 2026, when Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior alleged that Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni uttered a racially offensive slur toward him during a heated exchange on the pitch. Televised footage showed Prestianni covering his mouth before speaking to Vinícius, who then ran to protest to the referee, triggering UEFA’s anti‑racism protocol and a temporary halt to the match.
Vinícius claimed he was called a “monkey,” an allegation that Prestianni has strongly denied, insisting that he did not direct racist insults at the Brazilian. Despite the denial, UEFA opened an investigation into alleged discriminatory behaviour and, based on an interim report from its Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector, provisionally suspended Prestianni for one match under Article 14 of its Disciplinary Regulations.
Benfica appealed the suspension, but UEFA dismissed the club’s appeal shortly before the second leg, confirming that Prestianni would miss the return match at the Bernabéu as investigations continue.