UEFA has suspended Benfica forward Gianluca Prestianni for six matches for homophobic insults directed at Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, with three matches suspended for two years. Benfica has denied claims that Prestianni confessed to racially abusing Vinicius Junior, as the club appeals the decision.
The incident occurred during the first leg of the Champions League play-off between Benfica and Real Madrid, after Vinicius Junior gave his side the lead and celebrated in front of Benfica fans, for which he was booked. According to Vinicius Junior, Prestianni used a racial slur after scoring and being booked. Prestianni pulled his shirt up over his mouth before saying something to Vinicius Junior. Vinicius Junior ran to speak to the match referee, who stopped the game and activated FIFA's anti-racism protocol. Vinicius Junior initially refused to continue the first leg after the incident, according to multiple reports.
I want to clarify that at no time did I direct racist insults at the player Vinicius Junior, who unfortunately misinterpreted what he thought he heard. I have never been racist and I regret the threats I received from Real Madrid players.
Prestianni rejected the accusations, stating his words were misinterpreted. In a social media post, he said: "I want to clarify that at no time did I direct racist insults at the player Vinicius Junior, who unfortunately misinterpreted what he thought he heard. I have never been racist and I regret the threats I received from Real Madrid players." Portuguese media outlets suggested Prestianni acknowledged wrongdoing to teammates and apologized. Benfica stated that Prestianni apologized to teammates for the incident, regretting its dimension and consequences, and assured them he is not racist. Benfica president Rui Costa said Prestianni is 'not racist' and the club would not permit a racist player. "We would not permit a racist player within the squad," Costa said at a press conference. Benfica reaffirmed its commitment to combating racism.
UEFA opened an investigation into allegations of discriminatory behaviour. The governing body found Prestianni guilty of homophobic insults, not racist insults, as reported by Fotbollskanalen. The suspension applies to UEFA competitions such as Champions League and Europa League. Prestianni has already served one match of the suspension. UEFA will request that FIFA extend the ban globally. Prestianni faces a potential 10-match ban if found guilty, according to multiple reports. UEFA dismissed Benfica's appeal against Prestianni's provisional suspension.
Racists are, above all, cowards.
Prestianni was ruled out of the second leg of the Champions League tie against Real Madrid due to UEFA's investigation. Benfica appealed UEFA's suspension but acknowledged it was unlikely to affect the second leg. In an official statement, Benfica said: "The club regrets being deprived of the player whilst 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 play-off." Real Madrid advanced to the last 16 of the Champions League. Vinicius Junior received backing from his club and scored in the second leg. On social media, Vinicius Junior said: "Racists are, above all, cowards."
Benfica manager Jose Mourinho did not speak to the media before the second leg; his assistant did. Mourinho was sent off during the game after two yellow cards, meaning he did not have to speak to the media afterwards and is suspended for the return leg. UEFA regulations state that a suspended manager does not have to speak to the media the day before the game. Mourinho has been widely criticised for appearing to defend his player and club by questioning Vinicius Junior's celebrations. In a press conference, Mourinho said: "I told him, when you score a goal like that you just celebrate and walk back. They [Vinicius Jr and Prestianni] told me different things. But I don't believe in one or another. I want to be an independent." He also said: "When he was arguing about racism, I told him the biggest person [Eusebio] in the history of this club was black. This club, the last thing that it is, is racist."
The club regrets being deprived of the player whilst 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 play-off.
Prestianni has one senior cap for Argentina. What exactly did Prestianni say to Vinicius Junior remains unknown. It is also unclear whether Prestianni confessed to teammates or not, as reports differ. The final outcome of UEFA's investigation is pending, and it is unknown whether FIFA will extend the ban globally. The content of the conversation between Mourinho and Vinicius Jr during the match has not been disclosed.
I told him, when you score a goal like that you just celebrate and walk back. They [Vinicius Jr and Prestianni] told me different things. But I don't believe in one or another. I want to be an independent.
When he was arguing about racism, I told him the biggest person [Eusebio] in the history of this club was black. This club, the last thing that it is, is racist.
We would not permit a racist player within the squad.