During a match between Real Madrid and Benfica in Lisbon, Brazilian striker Vinicius Junior faced a racist incident that ignited extensive discussions on social media. After scoring the only goal of the game, Vinicius celebrated by performing his usual dance near the corner flag, which led the referee to issue him a yellow card for allegedly provoking the home fans. This decision raised eyebrows as the celebration was part of his personal expression, highlighting the complexities of such cultural gestures in football.

As tensions escalated on the field, Vinicius informed the referee that Benfica player Gianluca Prestiani had used a racially charged remark against him. In response, the referee activated the 'racism protocol' by forming an 'X' with his hands, marking the incident for further action. According to FIFA's protocol, match officials have a series of escalating measures they can take, including temporarily halting the game, suspending it, or concluding it altogether if the discriminatory behavior continues or intensifies.

The crowd reacted passionately to the referee's decision, resulting in a wave of boos and dissent from the stands. Meanwhile, Vinicius was seen sitting on the field, a visual representation of the ongoing battle against racism in sport. This incident not only highlighted the persistent issue of racism in football but also raised questions about the adequacy of measures in place to combat such behavior during matches, further fueling the online discourse surrounding racial discrimination in sports.