Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce says it is "shameful but not surprising" that football continues to be blighted by racism. European football's governing body Uefa has launched an official investigation following Vinicius Jr's allegation of racism against Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni during Real Madrid's Champions League game in Lisbon. Vinicius has said "racists are cowards", while Prestianni has denied racially abusing the Brazil forward. Tullis-Joyce knows from personal experience how deep the problem is and the United States international is saddened racism remains part of football. "I'm the daughter of a black woman, so I have been adjacent to the experience of a black woman in society," she said.

Source: BBC February 18, 2026 16:37 UTC