Gianluca Prestianni will not feature in the return leg against Real Madrid after UEFA issued the Benfica winger with a provisional one-match suspension following allegations of racist abuse towards Vinicius Jr.
The decision was communicated to SL Benfica on Monday, with UEFA confirming that an investigation remains ongoing.
In a formal statement, UEFA said an Ethics and Disciplinary inspector had been appointed to examine allegations of discriminatory behaviour during last week’s Champions League knockout play-off first leg in Lisbon.
Based on an interim report, the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body ruled that Prestianni will serve a provisional suspension for the next UEFA club competition match for which he would otherwise have been eligible.
UEFA cited a “prima facie violation” of Article 14 of its Disciplinary Regulations, relating to discriminatory conduct.
The sanction, however, is temporary and does not pre-empt the outcome of the full investigation. Further punishment could also follow once proceedings are concluded.
The alleged incident occurred during the first leg at the Estádio da Luz, a match that was halted for 10 minutes in the second half after Vinicius informed referee Francois Letexier that he had been racially abused. Real Madrid players briefly left the pitch before play resumed.
Prestianni has vehemently denied the accusation, claiming to have hurled a different derogatory word at the Brazilian.
Benfica have expressed regret at losing the player while the process is still under review and confirmed their intentions to appeal, although they acknowledge the timing is unlikely to alter his availability for Wednesday’s decisive clash in Madrid.
Real Madrid have confirmed they have submitted evidence for UEFA as part of the investigation and reiterated their support for Vinicius, who has faced multiple cases of alleged racial abuse in Spanish football.
A full decision will follow once UEFA’s disciplinary bodies complete their review, but as it stands, Prestianni will miss the second leg at the Bernabéu.
