UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni following accusations of racial abuse directed towards Vinicius Junior during last week’s match in Lisbon.
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Even as the case is still pending, UEFA announced on Monday a provisional one-match suspension for Prestianni as an investigation continues.
The suspension means the Argentinian winger will be unavailable for the return leg at Estádio Bernabeu, where Benfica will attempt to overcome the 1-0 deficit from the first encounter.
Prestianni has denied the allegations and Benfica officials have publicly supported him. The player traveled with the squad to Madrid in anticipation of a potential appeal, but he will now not feature in the match.
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé stated after the incident in Lisbon that, in his opinion, Prestianni should not be allowed to play at Estádio Bernabeu.
Should Prestianni be found guilty of racism, the punishment is expected to be significantly more severe than a one-match ban.
(©NTB)
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Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni will miss Wednesday’s Champions League second leg against Real Madrid after being provisionally suspended by UEFA amid allegations of racial abuse towards Vinicius Júnior. The incident occurred during the first leg in Lisbon on February 17, 2026, a match Real Madrid won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Vinicius.
The suspension comes after Vinicius accused Prestianni of using a racial slur during a heated exchange following the Brazilian’s goal. Prestianni has vehemently denied the accusations, claiming he was misheard while speaking. Despite the allegations, the match continued with Prestianni remaining on the field, and the anti-racism protocol was activated but no immediate action was taken due to a lack of conclusive evidence.
UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) initiated the proceedings, and the provisional suspension means Prestianni will be ineligible for the crucial second leg in Madrid. Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius’s Real Madrid teammate, has already voiced his opinion, stating Prestianni “doesn’t deserve” to play at the Bernabéu.
The outcome of the investigation could lead to a more substantial punishment if Prestianni is found guilty of discriminatory behavior. This case highlights the ongoing battle against racism in football and the swift action UEFA is taking to address such incidents within the Champions League, one of the world’s most prestigious club competitions.
