UCL: UEFA suspends Benfica’s Prestianni over alleged racist abuse of Vinicius
UEFA has handed a provisional one-match suspension to Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni following an alleged racist incident involving Vinícius Júnior during their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first-leg clash last week.
The incident reportedly occurred during the heated encounter in Portugal, where Vinicius claimed he was racially abused by the Argentine youngster. The allegation has since sparked an official disciplinary process by European football’s governing body.
In a statement released on Monday, UEFA confirmed that an inspector from its Ethics and Disciplinary Commission has imposed a provisional suspension on Prestianni under Article 14 of its disciplinary regulations, which addresses discriminatory behaviour, including racism.
The provisional ban means Prestianni will miss the decisive second leg against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu while investigations into the alleged incident continue. UEFA added that further sanctions could follow depending on the outcome of its inquiry.
Racism remains a major concern for UEFA, which has repeatedly pledged a zero-tolerance stance toward discriminatory conduct in European competitions. The governing body has, in recent years, strengthened its disciplinary framework in response to growing calls for stricter action against racism in football.
The first leg ended in a narrow 1–0 victory for Real Madrid, with Vinicius scoring the only goal of the match. The Brazilian winger has previously been the target of racist abuse in several high-profile incidents across European football, prompting widespread condemnation and renewed debate over the fight against racism in the sport.
Benfica have yet to issue a detailed public response regarding the suspension, but the Portuguese side now face the challenge of overturning the deficit without one of their young midfield options.
The return leg promises to be closely watched, not only for its sporting significance but also amid heightened scrutiny over the ongoing disciplinary investigation.
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