Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni has been suspended by UEFA for Wednesday’s Champions League knockout play-off decider after allegedly racially abusing Vinicius Junior in the first leg last week.
The match against Real Madrid was stopped for around eight minutes after Vinicius Jr alleged that Prestianni had abused him following the forward’s second-half goal. Referee Francois Letexier signalled the start of FIFA’s racial abuse protocol by crossing his wrists above his head.
That week UEFA confirmed they would be opening an investigation into the alleged offence, which carries a minimum suspension length of 10 games. The appointed ethics and disciplinary inspector requested that Prestianni was provisionally suspended “without prejudice” for the next match, the second leg of the tie, which the governing body announced on Monday.
Benfica later announced that it will appeal against the decision but acknowledged that the timescale involved meant it was unlikely to stop Prestianni missing the game.
What have the clubs said?
Benfica’s statement on Monday read: “The club regrets being deprived of the player while the process is still under investigation and will appeal this UEFA decision, even though the deadlines in question are unlikely to have any practical effect on the second leg of the Champions League play-off.
“(The club) also reaffirms its unwavering commitment to combating all forms of racism or discrimination, values that are part of its historical identity and are reflected in its daily actions, its global community, the work of the Benfica Foundation, and major figures in the club’s history, such as Eusebio.”
Madrid club sources have said that UEFA has already received signed statements from several players.
“Our club has actively collaborated with the investigation opened by UEFA following the unacceptable episodes of racism experienced during that match,” an earlier statement on their website read.
“Real Madrid appreciates the unanimous support, backing, and affection that our player Vinicius Jr. has received from all areas of the global football community. Real Madrid will continue working, in collaboration with all institutions, to eradicate racism, violence, and hate in sports and society.”
Has this ever happened before?
In 2021, Slavia Prague’s Ondrej Kudela was provisionally suspended for one match after Rangers’ Glen Kamara alleged that he was racially abused following a Europa League match.
Kudela was handed a ten-match man by UEFA a week later.
What did players and coaches say after the incident?
The Argentine forward later denied the allegations in an Instagram post, saying that “at no time did I direct racist insults to Vini Jr, who regrettably misunderstood what he thought he heard”.
Benfica later released a statement on the club’s website outlining its “historical and unwavering commitment to defending the values of equality, respect, and inclusion” and that it “fully supports and believes in the version presented by the player Gianluca Prestianni”.
Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe said after the match that he heard Prestianni “say that Vinicius is a monkey, five times”.
Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho suggested after the game that Vinicius Jr had incited the incident, also referencing the home side’s legend Eusebio, who is Black. The reference to the forward’s celebration and the Portuguese club’s history was condemned by anti-racism charity Kick it Out who said on social media that it was “a form of gaslighting” and “sends the wrong message”, while Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany described Mourinho’s comments as “a huge mistake”.
Mourinho is not due to address the media pre-match, with Benfica announcing that his assistant, Joao Tralhao, would take Tuesday’s press conference at the Bernabeu.
Vinicius Jr has experienced this before
Vinicius Jr has been the subject of racial abuse multiple times in his career.
Last May, five supporters were handed suspended prison sentences and fined for racist chants directed at the Brazil international during a match against Real Valladolid. Earlier this month, second-tier Spanish side Albacete said they were “pained and ashamed” after a banana was thrown at Vinicius Jr during a Copa de Rey game.
The Brazil forward scored in his first game since the alleged abuse, Madrid’s 2-1 defeat at Osasuna on Saturday. La Liga said after the game it was investigating footage that appeared to show Osasuna fans chanting “Vinicius, muerete”, which translates as “Vinicius, die”, during the match. The Athletic has contacted Osasuna for comment.