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Benfica player provisionally suspended by UEFA amid racism allegations against Vinicius Junior
2026-02-23 22:23:41 / SPORT
Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni has been provisionally suspended by UEFA for Wednesday's Champions League match against Real Madrid, following allegations that he racially abused Vinicius Junior.
This decision comes as a result of an incident that occurred during the first match of the knockout stage, where Vinicius Junior reported that he was the victim of racial abuse.
Prestianni, 20, was banned for one match while an investigation into alleged racial abuse towards the Real Madrid striker continues, which could lead to further punishment, according to UEFA.
This situation has once again raised concerns about racism in football and has caused strong reactions.
Prestianni denied making any racist remarks, claiming Vinicius "misinterpreted what he thought he heard" at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal.
Benfica, which last week said it stood by its player, said in a statement on Monday that it "regrets being deprived of the player while the matter is still under investigation and will appeal UEFA's decision."
This situation has created great tensions between the two clubs and has put the focus on the behavior of the players and the reactions of the sports authorities.
The first leg of last week's Champions League knockout stage was stopped for 11 minutes at the start of the second half after the Brazilian striker told the referee he had been racially abused.
Television footage showed Prestianni covering his mouth with his shirt repeatedly before making comments that Vinicius and his teammates nearby interpreted as racist insults.
The Brazilian striker was caught on camera telling French referee Francois Letexier that he had been targeted by a comment made by the Argentine winger. The incident highlighted the need for anti-racism protocols to be implemented in international matches.
UEFA's anti-racism protocol was activated, but no further action was taken during the match as there was insufficient evidence against Prestianni at that point.
The match was briefly halted after the away team took the lead thanks to a goal by Vinicius, who celebrated near the Benfica corner flag, angering both the home fans and players. The striker received a yellow card for his celebration.
Both coaches, Benfica's Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid's Alvaro Arbeloa, spoke to Vinicius at some point.
Real Madrid players threatened to walk off the pitch as tensions rose, but the referee eventually allowed the match to resume. It ended 1-0 to Real Madrid.
Jose Mourinho, who was heavily criticised for his comments about the incident after the match, will not be at the press conference ahead of the second leg in Madrid on Wednesday.
The Portuguese coach seemed to suggest that Vinicius had provoked the abuse himself with his celebration, and said that "in a stadium where Vinicius plays, something always happens."
Anti-discrimination organization Kick It Out responded by accusing Mourinho of “gaslighting.” Benfica assistant coach Joao Tralhao will take over media duties at the Bernabeu, the club said, without saying why Mourinho would be absent.
Mourinho will not even be on the bench for the second leg after receiving a red card for complaining in the first leg.
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