UEFA Suspends Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni Over Racism Allegations Involving Vinicius Junior
UEFA has taken decisive action by provisionally suspending Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni for the upcoming Champions League match against Real Madrid. This suspension follows serious allegations that Prestianni used racist language directed at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior during the first leg of their knockout playoff clash last week.
Incident Details and Accusations
The controversy erupted after Vinicius Junior scored a goal in Madrid's narrow 1-0 victory over Benfica. According to reports, Vinicius accused Prestianni of directing a racist insult at him during the match. The incident reportedly occurred after Vinicius celebrated his goal near the Benfica corner flag, which upset several Benfica players, including Prestianni.
Real Madrid teammate Kylian Mbappe has also corroborated the allegations, stating that he heard the abusive remarks firsthand. This adds significant weight to the claims, as Mbappe's testimony could be crucial in the ongoing investigation.
Prestianni's Defense and UEFA's Response
In a twist to the case, sources close to the matter have revealed that Prestianni admitted to UEFA that he used an anti-gay slur rather than a racist one. However, UEFA has proceeded with the provisional suspension based on the initial allegations of racial abuse.
The suspension means Prestianni will miss the critical second leg match between Benfica and Real Madrid. More importantly, if found guilty under UEFA's disciplinary code, he faces a potential ban of up to 10 games, which would be a severe blow to both the player and his club.
Official UEFA Statement and Investigation Process
UEFA released an official statement detailing their actions: "Following the appointment of a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector to investigate allegations of discriminatory behaviour during the UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 Knock-out Playoff match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid CF on 17 February 2026, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body has decided to provisionally suspend Mr. Gianluca Prestianni for the next UEFA club competition match for which he would otherwise be eligible."
The statement further clarified that this provisional measure is based on a prima facie violation of Article 14 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, which pertains to discriminatory behaviour. UEFA emphasized that this decision is without prejudice to any final ruling that may follow the conclusion of their thorough investigation.
The investigation remains ongoing, with UEFA promising to provide further updates as the process unfolds. This case highlights UEFA's commitment to addressing discrimination in football, though it also raises questions about player conduct and the effectiveness of current disciplinary measures.
