Prestianni travels to Real Madrid as Benfica REJECT ban after racism storm

Benfica will not be allowed to use Gianluca Prestianni for their Champions League play‑off second‑leg tie against Real Madrid following UEFA’s provisional ban

Gianluca Prestianni has travelled with Benfica for Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Real Madrid despite UEFA’s decision to provisionally suspend him. The Argentine is alleged to have racially abused Real star Vinicius [Vini] Junior during the first leg of their knockout tie last week.

Mirror Football understands Prestianni could face a 10‑match ban if found guilty, though Benfica insist he has done nothing wrong. According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, the 20‑year‑old flew to Madrid on Tuesday morning with the rest of the squad and was given a standing ovation from fans at Lisbon airport.

Club president Rui Costa, speaking to journalists at the airport, branded the decision to ban the 20-year-old ‘unjustified’ in a strong statement. He said: “We have this situation hanging over us, and we’re unable to use Prestianni. “Benfica stand united behind Prestianni. He is our player, but our support goes beyond that. Prestianni is not a racist, yet he is being punished as if he were one. For that reason, he deserves our full backing.

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“We understand that nothing has been proven and the player’s absence from this game is not justified. I wasn’t on the pitch to know what was said or wasn’t said. What I can say is that I believe in my player. The reason we waited a week to speak is because an investigation was underway, and it didn’t make sense to comment before a decision.

“I expected something definitive, but in the end it was only a provisional suspension. We have always kept our fans informed about everything that is happening.”

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Prestianni, who denies racially abusing Vinicius, is set to miss the second leg of the play-off tie following the ugly scenes last week. Despite this, the forward has travelled with the squad, with Benfica intent on appealing his provisional ban in the hope of a late ruling allowing them to play him.

UEFA’s decision was made public on Monday after the governing body launched an investigation into the allegations. Both Real Madrid and Benfica gave evidence before UEFA released a statement confirming their decision.

In response to Prestianni’s provisional ban, Benfica wrote in a statement: “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 play-off.

“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.”

Kylian Mbappe was among Vinicius’ Real Madrid team-mates to back him up after the Brazilian reported the incident to referee Francois Letexier. Trent Alexander-Arnold also called out the Benfica player after the match, calling his behaviour ‘disgusting’.

Prestianni, an Argentine international, claimed Mbappe had ‘misinterpreted what he thinks he heard’ and has received support from his defiant club following the incident. Manager Jose Mourinho has also come in for intense criticism, having criticised Vinicius for his celebration.

Mourinho said: “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 absolutely crazy goal and then game over.”

Following the backlash over his comments, the 63-year-old has taken the drastic decision not to talk to the press before or after the second leg match.

Vini, who scored a stunning strike in the first leg, took to social media after the alleged abuse. He wrote: “Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts over their mouths to demonstrate how weak they are. But they have the protection of others who, theoretically, have the obligation to punish them.

“Nothing that happened here is new in my life or my family’s. I received a yellow card for celebrating a goal. I still don’t understand why. On the other hand, it was just a poorly executed protocol that served no purpose. I don’t like appearing in situations like this, especially after a great victory when the headlines have to be about Real Madrid, but it’s necessary.”

Meanwhile, Prestianni has denied the allegations and insisted he did nothing wrong, despite pulling his shirt over his mouth before directing a comment at Vini.

“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,” he wrote in response. “I have never been racist and I regret the threats I received from Real Madrid players.”

Real Madrid won the first leg in Portugal – which was marred by the incident – 1-0, and head into Wednesday’s clash knowing all they need is a draw or better to book their spot in the knockout rounds of the Champions League.

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