Gianluca Prestianni: Benfica winger provisionally suspended by UEFA…

Gianluca Prestianni: Benfica winger provisionally suspended by UEFA…

UEFA have provisionally suspended Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni for one match after he allegedly made a racist remark to Real Madrid ahead Vinicius Junior.

UEFA have opened an investigation into allegations of “discriminatory behaviour” during Real’s Champions League knockout play-off first leg and, upon the request of UEFA’s Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector, Prestianni will miss the second leg while the investigation is ongoing.

Vinicius Jr initially refused to continue last Tuesday after the incident with Prestianni, who has denied the allegations.

The Real ahead had just given his aspect the lead – after which he celebrated in entrance of the Benfica followers, for which he was booked – when he was confronted by Prestianni, who pulled his shirt up over his mouth before saying one thing to the Madrid ahead.

Vinicius Jr ran to talk to match referee Francois Letexier, who instantly stopped the game. The referee responded by crossing ​his arms in entrance of his ⁠face, activating FIFA’s anti-racism protocol and briefly stopping the match.

Image:
Vinicius Jr spoke to referee Francois Letexier after Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni appeared to make a remark in direction of him

Sky Sports News understands Benfica supervisor Jose Mourinho won’t converse to the media before Wednesday’s second leg, along with his assistant Joao Tralhao carrying out his media duties instead.

Mourinho was despatched off during the game after being shown two yellow playing cards, which means he didn’t have to talk to the media afterwards and is suspended for the return leg at the Bernabeu, the place his aspect might want to overturn a 1-0 deficit to remain in the competitors.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video participant

Jose Mourinho won’t converse to the media ahead of Benfica’s Champions League journey to Real Madrid after he was criticised for his response to the alleged racist abuse of Vinicius Junior last week

UEFA’s Champions League laws state that a supervisor who’s suspended doesn’t have to talk to the media the day before the game.

Mourinho has been widely criticised for showing to defend his participant and club by questioning the approach Vinicius celebrates objectives in his post-match press convention in Lisbon.

“I told him, when you score a goal like that you just celebrate and walk back. They [Vinicius and Prestianni] told me different things. But I don’t believe in one or another. I want to be an independent,” Mourinho told Amazon Prime following the first leg.

“When he was arguing about racism, I told him the biggest person [Eusebio] in the history of this club was black.

“This club, the last factor that it’s, is racist.”

Mourinho was seen speaking to a visibly upset Vinicius Jr and a member of the Benfica coaching staff was shown a red card during the lengthy stoppage. After a number of discussions between players, coaches and the referee, play then resumed.

Real Madrid held on to win but there was a further short delay late in stoppage time when fans threw objects as Vinicius Jr was attempting to take a corner kick.

Posting after the game in Portuguese on his Instagram story, Vinicius Jr wrote: “Racists are, above all, cowards.

“They need to put their shirts over their mouths to demonstrate how weak they are.

“But they’ve, on their aspect, the safety of others who, theoretically, have the obligation to punish. Nothing that occurred right here today was new in my life and my household’s.

“I received a yellow card for celebrating a goal. I still don’t understand why. On the other hand, just a poorly executed protocol that served no purpose.

“I do not like showing in conditions like this, even more so after a terrific victory and when the headlines must be about Real Madrid, but it surely’s obligatory.”

Image:
Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni has denied making racist comments in direction of Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr

In an announcement in Portuguese on Instagram, shared by Benfica on social media, Prestianni denied making racist comments.

He wrote: “I want to clarify that at no time did I direct racist insults to Vini Jr, who regrettably misunderstood what he thought he heard.

“I used to be never racist with anybody and I remorse the threats I obtained from Real Madrid gamers.”

Benfica posted footage of the incident on X, with the comment: “As the pictures show, given the distance, the Real Madrid gamers couldn’t have heard what they declare to have heard.”

More to comply with…

Do you want sports activities? Stay informed with the latest in sports activities. At
TheGossipBlogger.com,
we cowl breaking news, match outcomes, athlete updates, and key developments from major leagues and competitions worldwide.

From soccer, basketball, and tennis to global tournaments and local games, our reporting highlights the performances, data, and rivalries shaping today’s sporting panorama.

Beyond scores and outcomes, we also share analysis, exclusive interviews, training insights, and tales from behind the scenes — providing you with a whole view of the action.

Bookmark
Sports
and check back often for correct, well-curated updates that preserve you related to the athletes and occasions making headlines.