KEY POINTS
- UEFA has suspended Gianluca Prestianni for one match pending an investigation into discriminatory behavior.
- The Argentine winger will miss the Champions League second-leg clash against Real Madrid on Wednesday.
- Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior accused Prestianni of using a racial slur during last week’s first-leg match in Lisbon.
European football’s governing body has taken swift action following a high-profile incident in the Champions League knockout playoffs. UEFA announced on Monday that it has provisionally suspended Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni. The decision follows a formal investigation into allegations of discriminatory conduct during the first leg against Real Madrid. This suspension ensures that the 20-year-old player will not participate in the decisive return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The controversy began during the second half of the match at the Estádio da Luz last Tuesday. Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior alleged that Prestianni directed a racial slur toward him. The incident occurred shortly after the Brazilian international scored the only goal of the game. Video footage showed the two players in a heated exchange while Prestianni covered his mouth with his jersey.
The match faced a significant delay as referee François Letexier activated the official anti-racism protocol. Play was halted for approximately 10 minutes while officials addressed the complaints from the Madrid players. Vinícius later took to social media to describe his abusers as cowards. Several teammates, including Kylian Mbappé, publicly supported the forward and claimed they heard the offensive remarks.
Prestianni has vehemently denied the accusations since the investigation began. He issued a statement claiming that the Real Madrid players misinterpreted his words during the heat of the match. The Argentine maintains that he has never used discriminatory language against any opponent. His representatives have suggested that a linguistic misunderstanding may have led to the current situation.
Benfica has officially backed their player while acknowledging the UEFA ruling. The Portuguese club expressed disappointment at being deprived of a key starter for such an important fixture. They confirmed plans to appeal the suspension, although they noted the timing makes a reversal unlikely before Wednesday. The club reiterated its historical commitment to equality and anti-discrimination in its official response.
UEFA’s Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector is currently reviewing all available evidence, including match reports and stadium footage. If found guilty of a breach of Article 14, Prestianni could face a minimum ban of 10 matches. This provisional one-game suspension allows the disciplinary body to complete its work without the player’s presence causing further tension. The final verdict will likely be announced in the coming weeks.
The incident has also drawn comments from top football officials and managers. FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed shock at the allegations and praised the use of the anti-racism protocol. Meanwhile, Benfica coach José Mourinho has faced criticism for his post-match comments regarding the incident. The atmosphere surrounding the second leg remains tense as both clubs prepare for the kickoff in Madrid.
