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Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni will be unavailable for Wednesday’s Champions League knockout play-off second leg against Real Madrid after being provisionally suspended by UEFA. The suspension stems from allegations of racially abusing Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior during the first leg last week.
The decision, announced Monday , comes at the request of UEFA’s Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector, who initiated an investigation following the incident in Lisbon. Vinicius Jr. Accused Prestianni of making a racist remark immediately after scoring the only goal of the match.
UEFA stated the suspension is a preventative measure, enacted “without prejudice to any ruling that the UEFA disciplinary bodies may subsequently make following the conclusion of the ongoing investigation.” The governing body referenced Article 14 of its Disciplinary Regulations, which pertains to racism and discriminatory behavior.
Prestianni has denied the allegations. Following the match, he claimed he covered his mouth with his shirt not to conceal a racist insult, but because he had used a homophobic slur. He also expressed regret over threats received from Real Madrid players. Benfica and manager Jose Mourinho have publicly supported Prestianni.
The incident occurred in the 87th minute of the first leg, prompting a stoppage of play for approximately eight minutes as referee Francois Letexier activated FIFA’s racial abuse protocol. The protocol involves the referee signaling the incident by crossing his wrists above his head.
Should Prestianni be found guilty of racially abusing Vinicius Jr., he faces a minimum ban of 10 UEFA games. The investigation is ongoing, and a final decision is pending.
Vinicius Jr. Responded to the alleged abuse, stating, “Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts in their mouths to show how weak they are. But they have the protection of others who, theoretically, have an obligation to punish them.”
The suspension means Prestianni will miss the crucial return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu. Benfica has announced it will appeal the decision, but acknowledged the tight timeframe makes it unlikely to alter Prestianni’s availability for the match.
This incident adds to a growing concern regarding racial abuse in football. Vinicius Jr. Has been the target of racist incidents on multiple occasions, prompting calls for stronger action from governing bodies and clubs.
The match between Real Madrid and Benfica is a pivotal one, with the winner advancing to the Champions League Round of 16. The first leg ended 1-0 in favor of Benfica, setting the stage for a tense and highly anticipated second leg. The absence of Prestianni will undoubtedly impact Benfica’s attacking options, while Real Madrid will be looking to capitalize on the situation.
The speed with which UEFA acted, issuing a provisional suspension before the conclusion of the investigation, is notable. Typically, suspensions are imposed after an investigation is complete. UEFA’s decision to act proactively underscores the seriousness with which It’s treating the allegations and its commitment to combating racism in football.
The outcome of the investigation and any subsequent disciplinary action will be closely watched by clubs, players, and fans alike. It sets a precedent for how UEFA will handle similar incidents in the future and could have a significant impact on the fight against racism in the sport.
