UEFA have officially confirmed that Gianluca Prestianni will not play for Benfica in the Champions League fixture against Real Madrid due to suspension.
SL Benfica will be without Gianluca Prestianni for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League clash against Real Madrid after the governing body handed the player a provisional suspension. The move follows an ongoing investigation into allegations of racist abuse directed at Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior.
The disciplinary measure, which took effect last Friday, sidelines the Benfica player while UEFA’s Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector reviews evidence from the first-leg encounter.
The Incident at Estádio da Luz
The controversy stems from the February 17 match in Lisbon, where Real Madrid secured a 1–0 victory. Following a goal by Vinícius Júnior, video footage captured a heated exchange between the two players. Prestianni was seen covering his mouth while speaking to the Brazilian international.
Vinícius immediately alerted referee François Letexier, claiming he had been the target of a racial slur. The match was briefly paused to allow officials to assess the situation before play resumed.
The Investigation and Potential Sanctions
If found guilty under Article 14 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, Prestianni faces a grim outlook:
Minimum Penalty: A 10-match suspension.
Extended Ban: A specified period of ineligibility that could end his European season.
Club Impact: Potential fines or stadium restrictions for SL Benfica.
Conflicting Statements
The two sides remain at odds over the nature of the exchange:
Gianluca Prestianni: Has issued a firm denial, stating he never used discriminatory language. He expressed regret over the “negative attention and threats” directed at him and his family since the allegation went public.
Real Madrid: The Spanish giants have stood firmly behind their player, submitting what they describe as “supporting evidence” to UEFA. The club has reiterated that decisive action is necessary to protect players from on-field abuse.
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