The UEFA investigation into allegations of racist abuse directed at Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior during their Champions League playoff win over Benfica has taken a new turn. Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni has provided testimony to UEFA investigators, admitting to using an offensive slur during the match, but denying it was racially motivated.
The incident occurred shortly after Vinícius Júnior scored the decisive goal in Real Madrid’s 1-0 victory at the Estádio da Luz on . Vinícius alerted the referee to alleged racist abuse, leading to a roughly ten-minute stoppage in play. The ensuing controversy prompted UEFA to launch a disciplinary process.
According to sources cited in reports, Prestianni has denied using the Spanish word “mono” – meaning “monkey” – which would constitute racist abuse. Instead, he claims to have used an anti-gay slur in Spanish. Aurelien Tchouameni, a Real Madrid player, reportedly confronted Prestianni after the match, and the Benfica player allegedly maintained he hadn’t used racist language, but had made a homophobic remark.
The revelation comes as Real Madrid has actively participated in the investigation, submitting a comprehensive file of evidence to UEFA. The club’s submission includes all available material related to the incident, according to reports.
The UEFA regulations, specifically Article 14, stipulate that the disciplinary framework for both racist and homophobic insults is identical, with penalties assessed on the same scale. So Prestianni could face a suspension of more than ten matches if found to have violated the regulations.
The case has drawn significant attention, with Kylian Mbappé among those publicly expressing support for Vinícius Júnior and condemning the alleged abuse. The incident has reignited the debate surrounding racism and discrimination in football, and the pressure is on UEFA to deliver a decisive response.
Beyond Prestianni’s testimony, Real Madrid has reportedly presented three key pieces of evidence to UEFA. These include footage of the incident involving Prestianni and Vinícius Júnior, images from the stands showing potentially racist gestures, and statements from Real Madrid players who claim to have overheard Prestianni’s remarks.
The journalist José Luis Sánchez, speaking on the Spanish program El Chiringuito de Jugones, detailed the evidence presented by Real Madrid. He stated that the club’s case rests on the aforementioned footage, the images of gestures from the crowd, and the testimonies of Real Madrid players.
While the investigation is ongoing, the admission of using a homophobic slur, even while denying racist intent, presents a serious disciplinary challenge for Prestianni. UEFA will now need to weigh the evidence and determine the appropriate course of action, sending a clear message about the unacceptability of all forms of discrimination within the sport. The outcome of this case is likely to have far-reaching implications for how UEFA addresses similar incidents in the future.
Benfica is also conducting its own investigation, looking into reports of racist insults directed at Vinícius Júnior from some of their supporters in the stands during the match. This parallel investigation underscores the seriousness with which both clubs are treating the allegations and their commitment to addressing the issue of discrimination.
