By Olukayode Olumuyiwa.
UEFA has provisionally suspended 20-year-old Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni for the second leg of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 knockout play-off tie against Real Madrid, following allegations of discriminatory behaviour during the first leg.
The decision, announced today by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB), matches the exact statement provided earlier:
“Following the appointment of a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector (EDI) to investigate allegations of discriminatory behaviour during the UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 Knock-out Play-off match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid CF on 17 February 2026, and upon request of the EDI with an interim report, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) today decided to provisionally suspend Mr. Gianluca Prestianni for the next (1) UEFA club competition match for which he would otherwise be eligible for the prima facie violation of Article 14 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations (DR) related to a discriminatory behaviour.
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.”
Context of the Incident
During the first-leg match at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon on 17 February 2026, Real Madrid won 1-0 with a goal from Vinícius Júnior. The Brazilian forward alleged that Prestianni directed a racist slur at him immediately after the goal. The match was halted for approximately eight minutes while UEFA’s anti-racism protocol was activated. Real Madrid teammate Kylian Mbappé publicly stated he also heard the alleged abuse. Prestianni has denied making any racist remark. Sources close to the investigation told ESPN that the Argentine player admitted using an anti-gay slur in Spanish (“maricón” or similar) rather than the racist term “mono” (monkey) alleged by Vinícius.
Status of the Investigation
- UEFA appointed an independent Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector the day after the match.
- The provisional one-match ban is based on “prima facie” evidence (Latin for “at first sight” – meaning sufficient initial grounds to proceed) of a breach of Article 14, which covers insults to human dignity on grounds including race, skin colour, or ethnic origin. A proven violation carries a minimum 10-match suspension.
- The ban applies specifically to Wednesday’s second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu. Benfica have confirmed they will appeal the provisional suspension but expect it to stand for this match.
- The full investigation continues; no final verdict has been reached.
Club Reactions
Benfica released a statement supporting Prestianni, expressing regret at being “deprived” of the player during the ongoing process and describing the situation as part of a potential “defamation campaign” against him. The club maintains there was no racist intent. Real Madrid have cooperated fully with UEFA, providing all available evidence.
No additional sanctions have been announced for either club or other individuals at this stage. The second leg proceeds as scheduled without Prestianni.
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