Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni has received a provisional one-match suspension after Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr reported alleged racist abuse during last week’s Champions League meeting. It means the Argentine winger is set to miss the second leg of the tie in Madrid on Wednesday (20:00 GMT).
According to the European governing authority, after the inquiry is over, more sanctions may be applied. Vinicius told referee Francois Letexier that he had been racially abused by the Argentina winger during the first leg of their Champions League knockout phase play-off tie in Lisbon last Tuesday.
Benfica stated that they would appeal the ruling, even though they think it will not have any “practical effect” prior to Wednesday’s match, and Prestianni has denied racially insulting the Brazilian. Last week’s first leg was halted for 10 minutes after Vinicius alerted on-field official Letexier to the second-half incident, before he and his teammates temporarily left the pitch.
It happened after 25-year-old Vinicius scored an incredible goal and was sent off for celebrating in front of the Benfica fans. Benfica manager Jose Mourinho, who is suspended for the second leg following his sending off later in the match, was criticised for his post-match comments after saying he believed that Vinicius had celebrated disrespectfully. Because of his ban, Mourinho will not speak to the media before the match, with assistant coach Joao Tralhao undertaking media duties at the Bernabeu instead.
Even though the inquiry is still underway, Prestianni will currently miss the second leg of the Madrid match due to Uefa’s action. According to the authority that oversees European football, this was done because the evidence was strong enough to establish a “prima facie violation” under the circumstances.
It added: “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.” Responding to the sanction, Benfica said it “regrets being deprived of the player while the process is still under investigation”. The club added that it would launch an appeal “even though the deadlines in question are unlikely to have any practical effect on the second leg of the Champions League play-off.”
In addition, Benfica reiterated its dedication to fighting racism and discrimination in all its manifestations, stating that these ideals “are part of its historical identity and are reflected in its daily actions, its global community, the work of the Benfica Foundation, and major figures in the club’s history, such as Eusebio.”
