Benfica’s midfielder Gianluca Prestianni faces a temporary suspension for one game in UEFA competitions amid ongoing investigations into claims of racial abuse directed at Vinicius Jr.
The incident in question occurred during the first leg of the Champions League play-off between Benfica and Real Madrid, which was interrupted for 10 minutes. Vinicius Jr alleged that Prestianni referred to him as a ‘monkey’ while concealing his face.
As a result of this provisional ban, Prestianni will be absent from the upcoming second leg clash at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night.
This measure does not affect any future decisions that UEFA’s disciplinary panels might reach once their investigation is complete and reviewed by the appropriate authorities.
Additional updates regarding this situation are expected to be released as the case progresses.
Gianluca Prestianni (right) has been handed a one-match suspension after allegations of racial abuse toward Vinicius Jr (left)
Prestianni is accused of calling Vinicius Jr a ‘monkey’ and will miss the second leg of Benfica’s Champions League play-off with Real Madrid
Should Prestianni be found guilty of racial abuse, he might face a suspension lasting up to 10 matches.
Article 14 of UEFA’s disciplinary regulations states: ‘Any entity or person subject to these regulations who insults the human dignity of a person or group of persons on whatever grounds, including skin colour, race, religion, ethnic origin, gender or sexual orientation, incurs a suspension lasting at least 10 matches or a specified period of time, or any other appropriate sanction.’
In response to the one-match ban, Benfica released a statement in which they revealed that they will appeal the decision.
The Portuguese side said: ‘Sport Lisboa e Benfica has been informed of UEFA’s decision to impose a provisional one-match suspension on its player Gianluca Prestianni, as part of the ongoing investigation into the incident that occurred during the match against Real Madrid.
‘The Club regrets being deprived of the player while the process is still under investigation and will appeal this UEFA decision, even though the deadlines in question are unlikely to have any practical effect on the second leg of the Champions League.
‘Sport Lisboa e Benfica also reaffirms its unwavering commitment to combating all forms of racism or discrimination, values that 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.’
The speedy sanction is believed to be in place due to concerns over the pair not shaking hands before the second leg, according to Cadena SER. They believe that if that were to happen, it would ‘send a negative message’.
The governing body seems to want to prevent a similar controversy that arose when Luis Suarez refused to shake Patrice Evra’s hand when Liverpool travelled to Manchester United in the Premier League in 2012.
UEFA were said to be fearful that Vinicius and Prestianni wouldn’t shake hands ahead of the second leg, in a similar fashion to Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra in 2012
Suarez (left) was accused of racially abusing Evra (right) during a game in 2011 and was banned for eight games
That game came after Suarez had served an eight-match ban after being charged by the FA for racially abusing Evra at Anfield. He was also fined £40,000.
Reports in Spain state that UEFA fear it would be damaging for a similar incident to occur between Vinicius and Prestianni, and have now broken tradition to hand the Benfica man a provisional ban as they continue their investigation.
The allegations against Prestianni came moments after Vinicius Jr gave Los Blancos the lead at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, with Benfica midfielder walking towards the Brazilian following the celebrations.
Moments later, after the Argentine could be seen lifting his shirt over his mouth, Vinicius raced over to referee Francois Letexier to report racial abuse.
Madrid star Kylian Mbappe claimed Prestianni racially abused his team-mate five times, but the Argentinian insisted his opponent ‘misinterpreted what he thinks he heard’.
The Benfica midfielder has since given evidence to the investigation, telling UEFA chiefs that he did not say ‘mono’ – Spanish for ‘monkey’ – but instead directed a homophobic slur towards Vinicius, according to ESPN.
Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni also told reporters that the Benfica player had claimed to have used a homophobic slur in the immediate aftermath of the match.
Madrid star Trent Alexander-Arnold said the scenes were ‘disgusting’ post-match. while Mourinho claimed Vinicius had incited his players by celebrating and that the Brazilian ‘was not just happy to score that astonishing goal’.
The incident occured just moments after Vini Jr scored the only goal of the first leg in Lisbon
Jose Mourinho has courted criticism for claiming Vinicius ‘incited’ the unsavoury scenes
‘It should be the crazy moment of the game, an amazing goal in a good game… these talents are able to do these beautiful things but unfortunately he [Vinicius] was not just happy to score that astonishing goal and then the game was over. When you score a goal like that you celebrate in a respectful way.’
When asked if Vinicius had ‘incited’ Benfica’s players and fans with his exuberant celebration, Mourinho said: ‘Yeah, I believe so. The words they exchange, Prestianni with Vinicius, I want to be independent. I don’t comment about it.’
Mourinho was seen speaking with Vinicius and Mbappe during the lengthy pause in play, and revealed what he had told the Brazilian.
‘I told him that when you score a goal like that you just celebrate and walk back,’ he added. ‘And then, when he was arguing about racism, I told him the biggest person in the history of this club was black. This club, the last thing it is is racist, so if in his mind it was something in relation to that, this is Benfica.
‘There is something wrong because it happens in every stadium. Every stadium that Vinicius plays [in] something happens. Always.
‘I’m saying that it was a good 50 minutes of football, millions of people watching around the world, a crazy goal and then game over.’
His comments left Amazon Prime pundits Wayne Rooney, Clarence Seedorf and Theo Walcott stunned, with Seedorf saying the Portuguese had made a ‘big mistake’.
‘I think he [Jose Mourinho] is still emotional,’ said Seedorf. ‘I think he made a big mistake today to justify racial abuse and I’m not saying that was the case today but he mentioned something more than today.
‘He said wherever he goes these things happen, so he’s saying it’s OK when Vinicius provokes you, that it is OK to be racist and I think that is very wrong.’
