European football’s governing body has handed a provisional suspension to Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni, ruling him out of this week’s Champions League play-off second leg against Real Madrid following allegations that he racially abused Vinicius Junior during the first encounter.
UEFA confirmed on Monday that its disciplinary authorities had taken interim action while a full investigation into the incident remains ongoing. The matter stems from last week’s first-leg clash in Lisbon, where Real Madrid secured a 1-0 victory.
In an official statement, UEFA explained that its disciplinary structures had moved to temporarily sideline the player pending further review. The statement read: “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,” the football body said.
The controversy erupted during the February 17 fixture in Lisbon after Vinicius Junior found the net for Real Madrid. The Brazilian forward subsequently became involved in a tense exchange with Prestianni, accusing the Benfica midfielder of directing a racist insult toward him. Vinicius alleged that the word “mono,” which translates from Spanish as “monkey,” was used while Prestianni covered his mouth with his shirt.
Following the accusation, the match referee activated UEFA’s anti-racism procedures, resulting in a suspension of play for approximately ten minutes as officials addressed the situation on the pitch. Vinicius initially appeared hesitant to continue but ultimately resumed participation. After the game, he shared a message on social media stating that “racists are, above all, cowards.”
Although UEFA has imposed a provisional ban for the upcoming match, Prestianni could face more severe punishment depending on the outcome of the investigation. Potential sanctions may include a multi-game suspension if evidence supports the allegation. The disciplinary process is expected to examine the referee’s report, available video footage, witness accounts, and statements from the players involved.
Prestianni has denied making any racist comment. He has maintained that while he did utter an offensive term during the confrontation, it was not racially motivated but rather a homophobic insult. His explanation has not prevented UEFA from proceeding with its disciplinary review.
Benfica have publicly expressed support for their midfielder, affirming confidence in his integrity while preparing to present arguments aimed at either overturning or reducing the sanction. The Portuguese club views the temporary suspension as a significant setback ahead of the decisive return leg, particularly as they seek to overturn a narrow deficit against the Spanish giants.
The episode has once again placed a spotlight on racism in European football. Vinicius Junior has repeatedly been subjected to discriminatory abuse in Spain and in continental competitions, and the latest allegation has reignited broader debates about how effectively football authorities are addressing the issue.
With Real Madrid holding a slim advantage heading into the second leg, Prestianni’s enforced absence limits Benfica’s attacking options at a critical stage of the competition. The final decision from UEFA’s disciplinary bodies will likely shape not only the outcome for the player involved but also ongoing conversations about accountability and enforcement within the sport.
What You Should Know
UEFA has issued a provisional one-match suspension to Gianluca Prestianni while investigating allegations of racist conduct during a Champions League fixture between Benfica and Real Madrid.
The accusation arose after Vinicius Junior claimed he was subjected to a racial slur during the first leg in Lisbon.
The match was temporarily halted under UEFA’s anti-racism protocol. Prestianni denies making a racist remark and could face further disciplinary action depending on the investigation’s findings.
The case has intensified discussions about racism in European football and the effectiveness of existing sanctions.
