Racism in Football: Benfica's Prestianni Incident Highlights Need for Cultural Change
An incident involving racism accusations against Benfica player Prestianni sheds light on football's cultural challenges and the need for ethical progress.
- • Racism in football has shifted from the stands to the playing field, exemplified by allegations against Benfica's Prestianni.
- • The Benfica team showed solidarity with Prestianni, highlighting the tribal mentality in football that can overshadow ethical accountability.
- • UEFA opened an investigation, but responses like FIFA President Gianni Infantino's condemnations are seen as insufficient without cultural change.
- • The article argues that true progress requires football clubs to prioritize ethical values over tribal loyalty and winning.
Key details
Recent allegations of racism during a football match have brought to light the persistent challenges of addressing racism within the sport, particularly showing how such incidents have shifted from the stands directly onto the playing field. During this episode, Benfica's team publicly supported their player, Prestianni, who was accused of making a racist remark, illustrating the tribal mentality that prioritizes allegiance over accountability. This episode reflects a broader contradiction within football, where social responsibility is frequently overshadowed by team loyalty.
The incident has prompted discussions that juxtapose historical and contemporary views on human behavior in crowds. Gustave Le Bon's theory suggests that individuals regress in civility when part of a collective, while Rutger Bregman argues that humans possess an inherent kindness. This duality raises complex questions about how football culture intersects with broader societal values.
Despite increasing societal sensitivity to racism, football continues to lag in implementing meaningful change. UEFA initiated an investigation following the incident, but many argue that legal measures alone are insufficient for deep transformation. The FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, expressed sadness and strongly condemned the racist actions, yet the lack of direct action by Benfica to hold their player publicly accountable has been criticized as a missed opportunity to promote decency.
The core challenge remains shifting football's focus from tribal loyalty and winning at all costs to embracing ethical principles that prioritize respect and inclusion. Until clubs collectively embrace this cultural shift, football risks continuing its struggle with racism as a reflection of flawed social values rather than rejecting them. The incident involving Prestianni is thus emblematic of the broader dilemma facing football: the need for a cultural evolution beyond legalistic responses to build a truly inclusive sport.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
