UEFA has opted to rule Gianluca Prestianni out of Wednesday’s recreation at Actual Madrid
Benfica have introduced they are going to enchantment UEFA’s determination to provisionally droop ahead Gianluca Prestianni for one recreation, ruling him out of the Champions League conflict with Real Madrid on Wednesday evening.
UEFA opted at hand Prestianni a one-game ban whereas a fuller investigation is carried out into claims the Argentine racially abused Madrid winger Vinícius Jr throughout the first leg of their play-off conflict in Lisbon final week.
Prestianni may but face a a lot harder sanction if he’s discovered responsible.
Sad Benfica set to enchantment UEFA verdict
The 20-year-old has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and Benfica swiftly introduced they’d enchantment UEFA’s ruling even whether it is unlikely to outcome within the participant being out there for the sport in Madrid in somewhat over 48 hours.
A club statement read: “Benfica took be aware of UEFA’s determination to use a provisional suspension of 1 recreation to its participant Gianluca Prestianni, as a part of the continuing investigation relating to the incident that occurred within the recreation towards Actual Madrid.
“The membership regrets being disadvantaged of the participant whereas the case continues to be underneath investigation and can enchantment this UEFA determination, even when the deadlines in query will hardly have any sensible impact on the second-leg of the Champions League play-off.
“Benfica additionally reaffirms its unwavering dedication to combating any type of racism or discrimination, values which might be a part of its historic id and which might be mirrored in its each day motion, in its international group, within the work of the Benfica Basis and in bigger figures within the historical past of the membership, resembling Eusébio.”
UEFA determination a shock
It has been reported UEFA’s determination to droop Prestianni got here as a shock to each Benfica and Madrid.
A UEFA assertion learn: “Following the appointment of a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector (EDI) to analyze allegations of discriminatory behaviour throughout the Champions League 2025/2026 Knock-out Play-off match between SL Benfica and Actual Madrid CF on 17 February 2026, and upon request of the EDI with an interim report, the UEFA Management, Ethics and Disciplinary Physique (CEDB) right this moment determined to provisionally droop Mr. Gianluca Prestianni for the following (1) UEFA membership competitors match for which he would in any other case be eligible for the prima facie violation of Article 14 of the UEFA Disciplinary Rules (DR) associated to a discriminatory behaviour.
“That is with out prejudice to any ruling that the UEFA disciplinary our bodies could subsequently make following the conclusion of the continuing investigation and its respective submission to the UEFA disciplinary our bodies.”
What’s Article 14 of the UEFA Disciplinary Rules?
The article pertains to the committing of an act that could possibly be deemed to be discriminatory.
UEFA states: “Any entity or particular person topic to those laws who insults the human dignity of an individual or group of individuals on no matter grounds, together with pores and skin color, race, faith, ethnic origin, gender or sexual orientation, incurs a suspension lasting not less than 10 matches or a specified time period, or another applicable sanction.
Which means if the total investigation determines Prestianni is responsible of racially abusing Vinícius Jr, he may nonetheless be sanctioned with a 10-game ban.
What occurred within the first leg in Lisbon?
Vinicius Jr has alleged Prestianni referred to as him a “monkey” within the rapid aftermath of the Brazil worldwide placing the guests forward with a shocking strike six minutes into the second half.
The referee halted the sport for round eight minutes whereas Vinicius articulated his case however the participant was persuaded to proceed the sport.
Prestianni held his shirt over his mouth whereas making the alleged comment and has denied any mistaken doing, telling his accusers to “cease inventing issues”.
