UEFA has confirmed that Gianluca Prestianni will miss Benfica’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid due to suspension.
SL Benfica will be without the Argentine forward for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League tie after UEFA imposed a provisional suspension. The measure comes amid an ongoing investigation into allegations that Prestianni directed racist abuse at Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior during the first-leg match.
The suspension, which took effect last Friday, prevents Prestianni from participating while UEFA’s Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector reviews footage and evidence from the February 17 encounter at Estádio da Luz.
The Incident
The first-leg match ended 1–0 in favour of Real Madrid, but attention has shifted to a moment following Vinícius Júnior’s goal. Video footage shows Prestianni covering his mouth while speaking to the Brazilian international. Vinícius immediately reported the incident to referee François Letexier, alleging a racial slur. The game was briefly paused before resuming.
Investigation and Possible Penalties
Under Article 14 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, if found guilty, Prestianni could face:
- Minimum Penalty: A 10-match suspension.
- Extended Ban: A longer period of ineligibility that could rule him out for the rest of Benfica’s European campaign.
- Club Consequences: Potential fines or stadium restrictions imposed on SL Benfica.
Conflicting Statements
The players and clubs remain divided over the exchange:
- Gianluca Prestianni: Denies using any discriminatory language and expressed regret over the “negative attention and threats” his family has faced since the allegations surfaced.
- Real Madrid: Fully supports Vinícius Júnior and has submitted what they call “supporting evidence” to UEFA, urging decisive action to protect players from abuse on the pitch.
The situation remains under review, with Benfica set to navigate a high-stakes second leg without one of their key attackers.