Letexier speaks out

The controversial clash between Vinícius Júnior and Gianluca Prestianni in the Champions League is back in the spotlight — this time from the man at the center of it all: referee François Letexier.

The French official has finally broken his silence on one of the most intense moments of the season, when he was forced to stop the match between Real Madrid and Benfica after the Brazilian reported discriminatory abuse.

A moment with no room for error

Letexier described just how difficult it was to make a decision in the heat of the moment. The incident occurred in the 51st minute, in a high-pressure environment where time was limited and information was incomplete.

“It’s a very unusual moment. We don’t have all the information, and we have to decide without knowing all the facts,” he explained, emphasizing that his priority was to act cautiously rather than rush into a potentially unjust decision.

Protocol took center stage

Without clear evidence, the referee chose to activate UEFA’s anti-discrimination protocol, a move that allowed the situation to be formalized and communicated to all parties involved.

Letexier made it clear: he could not send a player off without directly witnessing or hearing the offense, but he had a responsibility to acknowledge the complaint and protect the player involved. That decision ultimately shaped everything that followed.

Consequences that reached FIFA

Although Prestianni avoided a red card during the match, the fallout was severe. UEFA later handed him a six-match ban, which was then extended globally by FIFA.

The ruling now puts his potential involvement with the Argentina national team at the 2026 World Cup in doubt, turning the incident into a major issue far beyond the pitch.

A decision that sparked debate

Letexier’s handling of the situation drew criticism in some quarters, particularly regarding the length of the stoppage. However, governing bodies have largely praised his calm and structured response.

The referee believes he achieved his main goal: making the situation clear and transparent to a global audience watching one of football’s biggest competitions.

“I made it as clear as possible”

Months later, Letexier stands by his actions. He acknowledged the complexity of such incidents and underlined the limited role referees play in these scenarios.

“I think I made it as clear as possible. Hopefully, we won’t have to deal with situations like this again,” he concluded, reinforcing that the real issue extends far beyond any single decision on the field.

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