SL Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni will miss Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League play-off second leg against Real Madrid after UEFA dismissed the club’s appeal against his provisional suspension over alleged racial abuse.
Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior accused the 20-year-old of calling him a monkey during Benfica’s 1–0 defeat in the first leg last week, an allegation Prestianni has denied. UEFA is currently investigating the incident and had provisionally suspended the midfielder for the return fixture at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium pending the outcome of the probe.
In a statement on Wednesday, UEFA said: “The appeal lodged by SL Benfica is dismissed.
Consequently, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body’s decision of 23 February 2026 is confirmed.”
“Mr. Gianluca Prestianni remains provisionally suspended for the next UEFA club competition match for which he would otherwise be eligible,” the statement added.
UEFA noted that if Prestianni is found guilty of racially abusing Vinícius, he faces a minimum suspension of 10 matches.
The alleged incident occurred after the Argentine midfielder held his shirt over his mouth while arguing with Vinícius, prompting the Madrid forward to report the matter to the referee.
The first-leg match was subsequently halted for about 10 minutes.
AFP
