Benfica have publicly expressed their support for Argentine winger Gianluca Prestianni after he was accused of directing a racial slur at Vinicius Jr during Tuesday’s Champions League playoff first leg against Real Madrid.
European football’s governing body, UEFA, confirmed on Wednesday that an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed to investigate allegations of discriminatory behaviour raised by the Spanish club.
The controversy erupted during the second half at the Estádio da Luz, where television footage appeared to show Prestianni covering his mouth with his jersey a common gesture used by players to prevent lip-reading while speaking in the direction of Vinicius.
Vinicius and several nearby Real Madrid teammates reacted angrily, interpreting the comment as a racial insult toward the 25-year-old Brazilian forward. The referee subsequently halted play for 11 minutes after activating UEFA’s anti-racism protocol.
The match eventually resumed, with Real Madrid securing a 1-0 victory thanks to a decisive second-half strike from Vinicius — a goal that proved pivotal in the tightly contested playoff opener.
Benfica Stand Firm
In the aftermath, Benfica issued a message of solidarity with their 19-year-old winger.
“Together by your side,” the club posted on its official X account, alongside a quote previously shared by Prestianni on Instagram. Benfica later released video footage which they claim demonstrates that Real Madrid players were too far away to have heard any alleged slur.
Prestianni, in his own Instagram statement, firmly denied the accusation.
“I’d like to clarify that at no point did I make racist insults towards Vinicius Jr, who sadly misunderstood what he thinks he heard,” he wrote. “I’ve never been racist toward anyone and I deplore the threats I received by Real Madrid players.”
Mourinho Questions Both Accounts
Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho said he believed Vinicius may have incited the home crowd during the heated encounter but admitted uncertainty over the alleged exchange.
“I don’t know which of the two versions to believe,” Mourinho told reporters, adding another layer of ambiguity to an already sensitive situation.
Luisão Defends Vinicius
Former Benfica captain Luisao born Anderson Luís da Silva strongly defended his fellow Brazilian. Writing on Instagram, he said he was ashamed of what he described as Prestianni’s “racist act” and argued that the winger’s denial only worsened the situation.
“It’s a lie,” Luisão said, insisting that Benfica players must uphold the values of the club if they are to deserve wearing its jersey.
Wider Context
Vinicius Jr’s case once again highlights the persistent issue of racism in European football. The Real Madrid forward has been repeatedly subjected to racist abuse in recent seasons, particularly in Spanish domestic competitions, turning his experiences into a focal point in the fight against discrimination in the sport.
UEFA’s investigation will now determine whether disciplinary measures are warranted. Should the governing body find evidence of discriminatory conduct, sanctions could range from fines to suspension.
For now, Benfica have made their stance clear backing their young winger while European football awaits the outcome of an inquiry that underscores the sport’s ongoing struggle against racism at its highest level.
Related Article: https://www.flashscore.com.gh/r/?t=5&id=06ayleIt&utm_source=ios&utm_medium=share_news
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