UEFA’s appeals committee has rejected Benfica’s challenge to the provisional suspension of Argentine footballer Gianluca Prestianni, the organization confirmed on Wednesday.
The decision means Prestianni will miss Benfica’s second leg playoff match against Real Madrid in the Champions League, following allegations of racist insults directed at Brazilian player Vinicius during the first leg. The tie is delicately poised after Real Madrid secured a 1-0 victory in Lisbon.
Despite the suspension, Prestianni traveled with the team to Madrid, but will be ineligible to play at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
According to a UEFA statement, Prestianni “will remain provisionally suspended for the next UEFA club competition match for which he would otherwise be eligible.”
The initial suspension was issued on Monday by UEFA’s Ethics and Disciplinary Committee following the appointment of an investigator to examine claims of discriminatory behavior during the February 17th match in Lisbon. The committee then issued a provisional suspension pending a final decision.
The incident began shortly after Vinicius scored the game’s only goal in the 49th minute, celebrating with a dance near the corner flag. A heated exchange of words ensued between Vinicius and Prestianni, with Vinicius visibly upset and alleging that Prestianni had used a racist slur – reportedly “mono” – while covering his mouth.
The referee, François Letexier, immediately implemented the anti-racism protocol, and play was halted for approximately eight minutes as Vinicius and other Real Madrid players, including Kylian Mbappé, threatened to leave the field amid rising tensions between both teams. Objects were also thrown from the stands onto the pitch during the stoppage.
