Benfica is investigating fans after a racist “monkey movement” against Vinicius

Benfica, the Portuguese club, opened an investigation targeting two of its fans who appeared in a video clip circulating on social media, making movements that imitate a monkey, directed at Real Madrid’s Brazilian winger, Vinicius Junior, during the two teams’ match on Tuesday in the first leg of the qualifying round for the 16th round of the European Champions League football competition.
A Benfica spokesman said, confirming what was published in the Portuguese press on Friday about the club opening an investigation against them, “If they are involved in the club, the procedures may end with their expulsion.”
In the video clip circulating, especially through the account of former England international player Rio Ferdinand on the “X” platform, two fans wearing the red Benfica shirt appear moving their arms in a way that mimics the movement of monkeys.
The match, which Real Madrid won with a wonderful goal scored by Vinicius (1-0), witnessed accusations of racism directed by the Brazilian player against the 20-year-old Argentine player for Benfica, Gianluca Pristiani.
The next day, the European Union (UEFA) announced the opening of an investigation into accusations of “discriminatory behavior” on the part of Pristiani, who was accused by Vinicius Junior of calling him a “monkey.”
Pristiani denied these accusations on his Instagram account, while Benfica defended him, confirming in a statement that his player was a “victim” of a “smear campaign.”
Real Madrid announced on Thursday that it had submitted to the European Union “all available evidence” regarding the incidents that led to the match being stopped for about ten minutes.