Uefa has provisionally suspended Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni for one match after allegations that he racially abused Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior during the first leg of their Champions League playoff. The 20-year-old Argentine will miss Wednesday's second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu while the investigation continues.
The incident occurred at the Estádio da Luz last Tuesday, when Vinícius reported to referee François Letexier that Prestianni had called him a “monkey”. Kylian Mbappé said he heard the slur repeated five times. The match was delayed for ten minutes as the anti-racism protocol was activated, though the referee did not hear the abuse himself. Prestianni had covered his mouth with his shirt when speaking to Vinícius.
Prestianni denies the accusation, and Benfica has defended him, claiming he is the victim of a “smear campaign”. The club posted a video on X arguing that Real Madrid players could not have heard what they claimed from their positions. Benfica said it will appeal the suspension, though it admitted the timelines make it unlikely to affect the second leg. Real Madrid said it sent all available evidence to Uefa.
Uefa stated the current ban is “without prejudice” to any future ruling. Prestianni could face a ten-match suspension if found guilty. Reports suggest he told investigators he used a homophobic slur instead of a racial one, but his agent, Gastón Fernández, denied those reports. Use of a homophobic slur would also likely result in a ban.
Benfica head coach José Mourinho will not speak to the media before or after the match due to a touchline ban from the first leg. Anti-racism body Kick It Out accused Mourinho of “gaslighting” after he linked Vinícius's goal celebration to the alleged abuse.
