UEFA have suspended Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni for the second leg of his side’s play-off tie against Real Madrid on Wednesday.
The decision follows a formal investigation into allegations of racist abuse directed at Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior during the first leg in Lisbon.
Controversy erupted in the 50th minute of last week’s clash at the Estadio da Luz.
Moments after curling in a sensational strike to give Madrid a 1-0 lead, Vinicius was confronted by Prestianni during his celebration.
Television footage showed the 20-year-old Argentine forward covering his mouth with his jersey while speaking to the Brazilian winger.
Vinicius immediately reported the incident to referee Francois Letexier, alleging that Prestianni called him a ‘monkey’.
The accusation triggered UEFA’s anti-racism protocol, prompting an 11-minute stoppage as officials sought to manage escalating tensions.
Madrid players were visibly furious, with Kylian Mbappe later claiming he heard the slur used five times.
Prestianni has since vehemently denied the allegations of racial abuse, although he did admit to using a homophobic remark.
Under Article 14 of UEFA’s disciplinary regulations, any person found guilty of insulting human dignity on the grounds of race or sexual orientation faces a minimum 10-match ban.
The current one-match provisional suspension allows UEFA to continue its investigation without Prestianni present for the second leg in Madrid.
Benfica manager Jose Mourinho will also be absent after receiving his marching orders in the first leg.
The 63-year-old has received criticism for suggesting that Vinicius’s ‘provocative’ celebrations were partly to blame for the hostility.
For Vinicius, this latest episode is a painful reminder of the ongoing battle against discrimination in football – a fight in which he has increasingly been at the forefront.
