Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni will miss Wednesday’s Champions League play-off second leg against Real Madrid after UEFA dismissed the club’s appeal against his provisional suspension over alleged racial abuse.
The incident stems from Benfica’s 1-0 win in the first leg in Lisbon last week, during which Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior accused the 20-year-old Argentine of calling him a monkey. Prestianni has denied the allegation.
UEFA opened an investigation into the matter and provisionally suspended Prestianni pending the outcome, ruling him out of the return fixture at the Santiago Bernabéu.
In a statement released on Wednesday, February 25, 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.”
During the first leg, television footage showed Prestianni covering his mouth with his shirt while arguing with Vinicius. The Brazilian then informed the referee of the alleged abuse, prompting a stoppage in play that lasted around 10 minutes.
If UEFA concludes that Prestianni committed racial abuse, regulations provide for a minimum suspension of 10 matches. The investigation remains ongoing.
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