UEFA has officially issued a provisional one-match suspension to Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni following allegations of racial abuse directed at Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior.
The decision, announced on Monday, February 23, 2026, ensures the Argentine 20-year-old will miss the high-stakes Champions League play-off second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu this Wednesday.
The Incident: What Happened at the Estádio da Luz?
The controversy stems from the first leg in Lisbon on February 17, where Real Madrid secured a 1-0 victory.
- The Trigger: After Vinícius Júnior scored the winning goal in the 50th minute and celebrated with his trademark dance, the match was halted for 10 minutes.
- The Allegation: Vinícius reported to referee François Letexier that Prestianni had called him a “monkey” five times while covering his mouth with his shirt—a gesture Vinícius later described as “cowardly.”
- The Witness: Real Madrid teammate Kylian Mbappé has since provided a statement to UEFA, claiming he clearly heard the slur despite Prestianni’s attempts to hide his speech.
UEFA’s Official Stance: ‘Prima Facie’ Violation
UEFA’s Control, Ethics, and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) enacted the suspension based on a prima facie violation of Article 14 (Discriminatory Behavior).
- The Investigation: A full inquiry by a UEFA ethics and disciplinary inspector is ongoing.
- Potential Penalties: If found guilty upon the investigation’s conclusion, Prestianni faces a minimum 10-match ban.
- The Defense: Prestianni vehemently denies the claims, stating on Instagram that Vinícius “misinterpreted” his words. Reports suggest his legal team may argue he used a homophobic slur rather than a racial one—though both would likely result in significant sanctions.
