The incident involving alleged racist abuse by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni towards Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior has escalated quickly. After statements from both sides - and with UEFA and Gianni Infantino publicly weighing in on what happened at Da Luz - the sport’s governing bodies have made it clear that racism, and the issues that stem from it, must be addressed decisively.
Mikaël Silvestre, the former Arsenal and Manchester United defender and a member of FIFA’s Players’ Voice Panel, explained on Sky Sports that the group is already studying potential disciplinary measures for players who cover their mouths with their hands or shirts when communicating on the field.
“Maybe we need to sanction this type of behavior”
“We’re trying to find ways to sanction players who are talking [while] covering their mouths,” Silvestre said. “Because it’s one thing to talk about tactics with your teammates or to have a casual discussion, but clearly there was hate between the players. Especially from one to the other. Maybe we need to sanction this type of behavior, whether you put your hands in front of your mouth or you’re covering using your shirt like he [Prestianni] did.”
Silvestre, who praised referee François Letexier for how he handled the racist‑incident protocol during the match, also stressed that this is a process that takes time. “We need to speak with referees [about] what they can do and cannot do. It’s a work in progress […].
“There should have been also an announcement on the big screen in the stadium and I don’t think that’s the case. We need to make everybody aware, the fans in the stadium, and the referee to should have been able to speak clearly about what was happening,” he added.
Silvestre pointed out how challenging these cases can be even when testimonies exist - such as Kylian Mbappé’s. “It’s difficult for the referee to have proof that something is happening for the investigation to go quickly. Because the return leg is in seven days, and if something really is proven to be true, then the player shouldn’t be able to play. He should have a massive suspension, he should go into an education program, because this type of behavior is not possible,” he said.
What is the Players’ Voice Panel?
The group is made up of 16 former players - men and women - from diverse ethnic backgrounds and representing all six soccer confederations worldwide. Their mission is to oversee initiatives and actions aimed at combating racism in football. Members offer insight into how these issues affect players both on and off the field.
The panel’s goal within FIFA is to advise, educate, and monitor matters related to discrimination. Its members are: Silvestre, George Weah, Emmanuel Adebayor, Mercy Akide, Iván Córdoba, Didier Drogba, Khalilou Fadiga, Formiga, Jessica Houara, Maia Jackman, Sun Jihai, Blaise Matuidi, Aya Miyama, Lotta Schelin, Briana Scurry and Juan Pablo Sorín.