UEFA slam Prestianni with provisional suspension over Vinicius Jr. racial abuse
European football governing body UEFA has announced a provisional suspension for Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni. The continental football body banned the Argentine midfielder for one match following an interim report by its ethics and disciplinary board on the ongoing case of alleged racial abuse on Vinicius Jr. in the first leg of their UCL knockout phase […]
European football governing body UEFA has announced a provisional suspension for Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni.
The continental football body banned the Argentine midfielder for one match following an interim report by its ethics and disciplinary board on the ongoing case of alleged racial abuse on Vinicius Jr. in the first leg of their UCL knockout phase playoff round last week Tuesday.
Vinicius Jr. scored for Real Madrid and celebrated with a dance routine, a decision that angered the Benfica contingent, and the Brazilian winger notified the referee of use of racial words by Prestianni.
The match continued despite a 10-minute delay, and Real Madrid reported to UEFA afterwards, prompting disciplinary proceedings on what it described as “discriminatory behavior”.
- Odd mistake ruined Onana’s Manchester United career – Van der Sar
- Waves of violence in Mexico as military kills drug cartel boss
Although UEFA stated that investigations were still ongoing, the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary body (CEDB) has decided to hand Prestianni a one-match provisional ban.
It also noted that the ban would not affect any future ruling on the matter.
“Following the appointment of a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector (EDI) to investigate allegations of discriminatory behaviour during the UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 Knock-out Play-off match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid CF on 17 February 2026, and upon request of the EDI with an interim report, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) today decided to provisionally suspend Mr. Gianluca Prestianni for the next (1) UEFA club competition match for which he would otherwise be eligible for the prima facie violation of Article 14 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations (DR) related to a discriminatory behaviour.
“This is without prejudice to any ruling that the UEFA disciplinary bodies may subsequently make following the conclusion of the ongoing investigation and its respective submission to the UEFA disciplinary bodies.
“Further information about this matter will be made available in due course.”
Real Madrid and Benfica will slug it out in the second leg set for Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Spain on Wednesday.