Topics: Champions League, Real Madrid, Benfica, Racism, Vinicius Jr, Jose Mourinho
Benfica have reportedly made a controversial decision ahead of their Champions League play-off second leg clash against Real Madrid, despite Gianluca Prestianni being handed a provisional one-match UEFA ban for allegedly racially abusing Vinicius Jr during last week’s first leg in Lisbon.
On Monday (23 February), Prestianni received a provisional one-match ban, meaning he will miss the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday (25 February).
This came after Vinicius accused the Argentine of racially abusing him during the second half of Real Madrid’s 1-0 win on 17 February.
Referee François Letexier brought the game to a halt before crossing his arms to signal that the anti-racism protocol had come into effect.
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The game resumed 10 minutes later after Vinicius and several other Real Madrid players consulted with Benfica’s bench, including head coach José Mourinho.
After the match, Kylian Mbappé claimed that he heard Prestianni call Vinicius a “monkey” five times.
Prestianni has already denied racially abusing Vinicius, while UEFA have also confirmed that an ethics and disciplinary inspector had been appointed to investigate the allegations.
The 20-year-old claimed that Vinicius “misinterpreted what he thought he heard”.
A statement released by European football’s governing body on Monday explained that Prestianni will be made to sit out the second leg.
Part of the statement read: “This is without prejudice to any ruling that the UEFA disciplinary bodies may subsequently make following the conclusion of the ongoing investigation and its respective submission to the UEFA disciplinary bodies.”
Benfica responded with a statement of their own and confirmed that they will appeal UEFA’s decision.
A statement read: “The Club regrets being deprived of the player while the case is still under investigation and will appeal UEFA’s decision, even though the deadlines in question are unlikely to have any practical effect on the second leg of the Champions League play-off.
“Sport Lisboa e Benfica also reaffirms its unwavering commitment to combating all forms of racism and discrimination, values that are part of its historical identity and are reflected in its daily activities, its global community, the work of the Benfica Foundation, and major figures in the club’s history, such as Eusébio.”
And despite being unable to play in the match, Prestianni will still fly to Madrid with his teammates, according to AS.
The report stated: “It is not yet clear if Benfica follow through with their plan whether he would be allowed on the bench or, more likely, required to sit in the stands, a scenario that could even raise security concerns.”
