UEFA rules explained as Vinicius Jr walks off during Champions League Match alleging racist abuse

Vinicius Jr walked off the football field after alleged racist abuse.

The talented player scored an absolutely sensational goal to give Real Madrid the lead over Benfica in their Champions League clash.

What are UEFA’s rules for dealing with racist abuse?

Following the finish, Vinicius Jr informed the referee that another player had made a racist comment against him. Due to this, the Brazilian decided to walk off the pitch in protest, before later returning to carry on with the match.

In these types of instances, UEFA has the following rules for the referee:

1 – Stop the match in case of serious racist incidents

1. When the referee becomes aware (in particular if he is informed by the UEFA match delegate through the fourth official) of racist behaviour (especially racist chants, insults and screams, banners, etc.) and if, in his opinion, this racist behaviour is of a strong magnitude and intensity, he shall, in application of Law 5 of the Game, stop the match and ask for an announcement to be made over the public address system (in the languages of both teams) requesting the public to immediately stop such racist behaviour.
2. The match may resume only after the announcement has been made.

2 – Suspend the match in case of serious racist incidents

1. If the racist behaviour does not cease once the game has restarted (i.e. step 1 was ineffective), the referee shall suspend the match for a reasonable time period (for example 5 to 10 minutes) and request the teams to go to the dressing rooms. The UEFA match delegate shall, through the fourth official, assist the referee in determining whether the racist behaviour has ceased following step 1.
2. During this time period, the referee shall again ask for an announcement to be made over the public address system requesting the public to immediately stop such racist behaviour and warning them that this may even result in the match being abandoned.
3. During this suspension, the referee shall consult with the UEFA match delegate, the UEFA security officer and the relevant police and stadium and security authorities on the possible next steps, in particular the possibility to abandon the match.

3 – Abandon the match in case of serious racist incidents

1. If the racist behaviour does not cease after the game has restarted (i.e. step 2 was ineffective), the referee shall, as a very last resort, definitively abandon the match. The UEFA match delegate shall, through the fourth official, assist the referee in determining whether the racist behaviour has ceased following step 2.
2. However, any decision by the referee to abandon a match in such circumstances shall only be taken after all other possible measures have been implemented and the impact of abandoning the match on the security of the players and the public has been assessed by means of a full and extensive consultation with the UEFA match delegate, the UEFA security officer and the relevant police and stadium security authorities. In principle, abandoning the match is subject to the agreement of all parties involved.

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