UEFA has officially suspended Benfica defender Gianluca Prestianni amid serious allegations of racist abuse directed at Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior.
The European football governing body confirmed the temporary ban while a formal investigation continues into the incident, which reportedly took place during the first leg match in Lisbon.
According to reports, Vinicius immediately informed the referee after allegedly hearing racist remarks from the Argentine defender. This triggered UEFA’s strict anti racism protocol, forcing officials to pause the match for approximately ten minutes while the situation was reviewed.
The game eventually resumed, but the consequences for Prestianni were immediate.
As a result of the suspension, the Benfica player will miss the crucial second leg scheduled for Wednesday night, dealing a major blow to his team at a decisive moment.
UEFA stated that the investigation is ongoing and that a final disciplinary decision will be made after all evidence is thoroughly examined.
The incident has once again highlighted the ongoing battle against racism in football, with Vinicius Junior frequently at the center of similar controversies in recent years.
