UEFA has handed a provisional suspension to Benfica’s Argentine forward, Gianluca Prestianni, following allegations of racial abuse directed at Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior. The ruling ensures that Prestianni will be sidelined for Wednesday’s pivotal second-leg clash against the Spanish giants, a significant blow to the Portuguese side’s offensive options.
In an official statement released today, European football’s governing body confirmed the immediate disciplinary action: “We have decided to provisionally suspend Mr. Gianluca Prestianni from the next UEFA club competition match pending further investigation.”
Flashpoint at the Bernabéu
The controversy stems from the first leg of the encounter, where Real Madrid secured a hard-fought victory. Following the final whistle, Vinícius Júnior formally accused Prestianni of targeting him with racial slurs. The incident reportedly escalated after Vinícius scored the match’s only goal, leading to a ten-minute stoppage in play during which the Real Madrid squad threatened to walk off the pitch in solidarity.
Witnesses, including Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé, have provided damning testimonies. Mbappé alleged that Prestianni used his jersey to mask his mouth while repeatedly calling Vinícius a “monkey”—a claim he suggests happened at least five times during the heated exchange.
The Disciplinary Outlook
UEFA has appointed an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector to spearhead a full-scale investigation. If the allegations are substantiated, Prestianni faces a draconian penalty under Article 14 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations.
| Factor | Detail |
| Current Status | Provisionally Suspended (1 Match) |
| Potential Sanction | Minimum 10-match ban if proven guilty |
| Key Accuser | Vinícius Júnior |
| Primary Witness | Kylian Mbappé |
| Benfica’s Position | Denying charges; alleging “conspiracy” |
War of Words
Despite the mounting pressure, Benfica has remained steadfast in support of their player. The Lisbon-based club released a statement affirming their cooperation with UEFA but suggested that Prestianni might be the victim of a “conspiracy” designed to unsettle the team before the return leg.
Prestianni himself took to social media to defend his reputation, stating:
“I want to make it clear that I did not direct any racist remarks at Vinícius. What he believes he heard is, unfortunately, incorrect. I have never behaved in a racist manner. Conversely, the threats I received from Real Madrid players are truly regrettable.”
Vinícius Júnior, a frequent target of such abuse in La Liga, responded with a poignant post on Instagram: “Racists are cowards. They have to hide their faces behind their jerseys to mask their own weaknesses.”
As the footballing world awaits the final verdict, the spotlight remains firmly on UEFA’s ability to enforce its “No to Racism” campaign with tangible, decisive action.