Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni Doubles Down on Homophobic Slur Claim in Vinicius Jr Incident
Gianluca Prestianni, the Benfica footballer, has firmly reiterated his assertion that he directed a homophobic slur at Vinicius Jr, rather than a racist insult, in his first interview since the controversial Champions League play-off match. The incident, which occurred during Benfica's clash against Real Madrid in February, sparked widespread debate after Vinicius Jr accused Prestianni of racial abuse.
Champions League Match Halted Amid Allegations
The Champions League play-off contest in Lisbon was abruptly paused for ten minutes when Vinicius Jr reported to referee Francois Letexier that Prestianni had racially abused him. This occurred moments after Vinicius Jr scored, putting Madrid in the lead. Video footage captured the two players approaching each other, with Prestianni lifting his shirt over his mouth before the confrontation escalated.
Vinicius Jr claimed that Prestianni called him a 'monkey,' an allegation corroborated by his teammate Kylian Mbappe, who was nearby. In the aftermath, Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni revealed that Prestianni had denied using a racist slur, instead admitting to a homophobic remark.
Prestianni's Defence: Cultural Norms and Team Support
In an interview with Mi Telefe, Prestianni doubled down on this version of events, insisting that the insult was homophobic and not racist. He argued that such language is commonplace in Argentine culture, stating, 'Yes, yes, I heard it, but for us Argentines it is a normal insult.' He emphasised that he never intended to be perceived as racist, adding, 'You are insulting, you are treating someone as racist that I never was and I never will be.'
Prestianni explained that the slur is often used casually in Argentina, akin to other insults meant to disrupt an opponent's focus during a game. He expressed gratitude for the support from Benfica's team and coaching staff, who stood by him during the investigation. 'I'm very grateful to the team, to the coaching staff of Benfica, who waited for me until the last minute so that I could play,' he said, noting that he had discussed the matter with teammates of similar backgrounds without issue.
Social Media Reaction and UEFA Investigation
On social media platform X, Prestianni questioned why Vinicius Jr's teammates did not react more strongly if the accusation was so severe. He also defended his action of covering his mouth with his shirt, a common practice among footballers to prevent lip-reading. 'If they keep saying that SUPPOSEDLY I made a racist comment to Vinicius Junior, then why didn't any of them react?' he posted, urging against further speculation.
Despite the ongoing controversy, UEFA has yet to announce the outcome of their investigation into the incident. The case highlights broader issues of discrimination in football, with Prestianni's comments sparking discussions about cultural differences in language and the boundaries of acceptable behaviour on the pitch.
