Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni has been provisionally suspended for one match after Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr reported alleged racist abuse during last week’s Champions League clash.
The suspension means the Argentine is set to miss the second leg of the tie at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday.
The sanction, imposed by UEFA on an interim basis, comes ahead of a full investigation by an ethics and disciplinary inspector.
UEFA stated that further punishment could follow once the inquiry is complete, but there was sufficient evidence for a “prima facie violation” based on available material.
The first-leg match in Lisbon was briefly halted for 10 minutes after Vinicius alerted referee Francois Letexier to the alleged abuse.
The Brazilian, 25, had scored a spectacular goal and then received a yellow card for his celebrations in front of Benfica supporters. Prestianni has denied any racist intent.
Benfica announced they will appeal the decision, although the club acknowledged it is unlikely to affect Wednesday’s game.
The club reaffirmed its commitment to combating racism, noting that these values are embedded in its history, daily operations, and outreach through the Benfica Foundation.
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Benfica manager Jose Mourinho, who is suspended for the second leg following a sending-off in the first match, will not speak to the media before the fixture. Assistant coach Joao Tralhao will handle press duties instead.
UEFA acted swiftly: the disciplinary case was opened just 16 hours after the incident, and the provisional suspension was imposed three working days later.
The governing body cited precedent, referencing the 2021 case of Slavia Prague’s Ondrej Kudela, who received a similar interim ban before a full ruling in a racial abuse case involving Rangers’ Glen Kamara.
The quick action underscores UEFA’s commitment to addressing alleged discriminatory behaviour promptly, even before a full investigation is completed.
As it stands, Prestianni will miss the crucial second-leg tie in Madrid, while the full disciplinary process continues.
Benfica and UEFA have both emphasised that the outcome of the ongoing investigation may result in further sanctions once all evidence is reviewed.
