UEFA has temporarily suspended Gianluca Prestianni for one game after an incident with Vinícius Júnior during the first leg of SL Benfica’s Champions League playoff against Real Madrid CF.
The Argentine winger won’t be playing in Wednesday’s second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu, where Real Madrid currently leads 1-0 from their first game in Lisbon. Prestianni was accused of making a racist comment toward Vinícius just after the Brazilian scored, and he covered his mouth with his shirt during the incident. He says the allegation isn’t true and that people have misunderstood what he said.
UEFA said its Ethics and Disciplinary Commission is still looking into the matter and warned that more penalties could come. Benfica has stood by its player and said it will appeal the temporary suspension.
Referee François Letexier paused the first leg briefly when anti-racism protocols were triggered. Real Madrid’s forward Kylian Mbappé and midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni backed up what Vinícius said.
The anti-discrimination group Kick It Out called for tougher measures as tensions built before the crucial second leg in Madrid.
