Topics: UEFA, Benfica, Real Madrid, Vinicius Junior, Racism, Champions League
UEFA has released a statement after rejecting Benfica’s appeal against Gianluca Prestianni’s provisional one-match ban, which will prevent him from playing for the Lisbon club against Real Madrid in the Champions League play-off second leg on Wednesday (25 February).
On 17 February, Prestianni was accused of racially abusing Vinícius Júnior in the second half of Real’s 1-0 win over Benfica in the first leg of the Champions League tie.
The game was brought to a temporary halt when the Brazilian made referee François Letexier aware of the incident, before the game resumed around 10 minutes later.
Vinícius’ team-mate Kylian Mbappé later claimed that he heard the Benfica winger say the word “monkey” five times. Prestianni has denied the allegations.
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On Monday (23 February), UEFA released a statement and confirmed that Prestianni had been handed a provisional one-match ban pending the result of a full investigation by an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector, although should he be found guilty, a more severe sanction may be handed out.
In a statement of their own, Benfica said they would be appealing the decision.
A club 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.”
Club president Rui Costa has also pledged his support for the player and maintained that he is not racist.
Then, just hours before Wednesday’s second leg, European football’s governing body, UEFA, responded and confirmed the result of Benfica's appeal.
“The appeal lodged by SL Benfica is dismissed. Consequently, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body’s decision of 23 February 2026 is confirmed,” the statement read.
“Mr Gianluca Prestianni remains provisionally suspended for the next UEFA club competition match for which he would otherwise be eligible.”
Benfica must overturn a one-goal deficit to progress to the Champions League round of 16. The winners of tonight's tie will face either Manchester City or Sporting CP in the next round.
