Soccer’s hypocrisy will overpower the fight against racism

Soccer is less of a sport since Tuesday night. Once again, a central figure – and one with a track record of mocking and insulting fellow professionals – was determined to drag the game back into the cave, exposing humanity as if it had no intention of evolving toward something as basic as treating everyone equally. No, Prestianni, this time you did not kick a ball. You delivered a chilling message to the world that there are still those who refuse to move forward, who remain stuck in the belief that they are somehow superior to others.

Only he, Vinicius and perhaps a few others near that bleak scene know what was said – and yes, the presumption of innocence exists. But his gesture gave him away. It was not praise for the Brazilian, that much is certain. It is telling that after a minute-long exchange he covered his mouth, and that the forward’s reaction – a player who knows how to take a hit – was to sprint toward the referee to report the Argentine.

• Prestianni gives his side of the story
• Vini Jr says Prestianni called him “monkey”
• Kylian Mbappé: “He said it five times... Benfica players heard it”

The anti-racism protocol was activated, and at that point there was little more the referee could do. Yet Prestianni carried on as if nothing had happened, while Vinicius was shown a yellow card for celebrating his goal and sharing it with the stands – the same stands that had insulted him repeatedly. How long will abuse come without consequences?

The worst came afterward. Beyond Nicolás Otamendi repeatedly flashing the World Cup trophy at Vinicius, the most dispiriting moment arrived when Benfica sought to suggest nothing had occurred, that it was all fabrication, posting an image on social media of the Argentine covering his mouth with his shirt as if to certify that nothing had happened. Remarkable.

All of this once again shows that soccer is not evolving in this regard. Benfica’s priority – like that of other clubs in similar situations – is simply to avoid punishment. The fight against racism can wait for another day, perhaps one more convenient. It will happen again. Do not doubt it. Just look at the reaction of some supporters at the final whistle – aggressive, demanding justice in their own way, with threats as their argument.

Soccer risks becoming a refuge for intolerance, and what is most alarming is that it begins on the field and spills into the crowd. It was a sad night. It could become one of the most meaningful if the case is pursued to the end. But do not be surprised if within hours the refrain is that there is no proof. And so it goes, until the next time. Spain has seen similar cases before.

Dance, Vinicius.

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