European football’s governing authority has imposed a provisional suspension on Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni following allegations of discriminatory conduct during a UEFA Champions League knockout play-off clash against Real Madrid.
The decision, announced on Monday, means Prestianni will miss the second leg of the tie scheduled for later this week. The suspension stems from an ongoing disciplinary investigation into events that allegedly occurred during the first-leg encounter on February 17, 2026, in Lisbon.
In an official communication, UEFA confirmed that its Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) had acted upon an interim report submitted by a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector (EDI), who was appointed to examine the alleged misconduct.
According to the statement, Prestianni has been provisionally suspended for one UEFA club competition match for what is described as a prima facie breach of Article 14 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, which addresses discriminatory behaviour.
UEFA clarified that the interim suspension does not constitute a final ruling and remains subject to the outcome of the full investigation. The governing body emphasised that further disciplinary measures may follow depending on the evidence reviewed and conclusions reached.
Incident During First Leg in Lisbon
The controversy unfolded during Real Madrid’s 1–0 victory over Benfica in the Portuguese capital. Tensions escalated shortly after Vinícius Júnior found the back of the net.
The Brazilian forward alleged that Prestianni directed a racist insult at him during a heated exchange. Specifically, Vinícius claimed the Argentine midfielder used the word “mono,” a Spanish term meaning “monkey,” widely recognised as a racial slur in football-related abuse cases. Reports indicate that Prestianni covered his mouth with his shirt while speaking.
Following the accusation, the referee activated UEFA’s established anti-racism protocol. Play was halted for approximately 10 minutes while officials addressed the situation on the pitch. Vinícius initially appeared distressed and reluctant to resume participation before eventually continuing with the match.
After the game, the Real Madrid star took to social media, stating that “racists are, above all, cowards,” reinforcing his long-standing stance against discrimination in football.
Investigation and Potential Sanctions
UEFA’s disciplinary review is expected to examine multiple sources of evidence, including referee reports, match footage, audio recordings where available, player testimony, and witness statements.
If found guilty of discriminatory conduct, Prestianni could face a more severe penalty, potentially including a multi-match suspension under Article 14 provisions.
The Benfica midfielder has denied making a racist remark. However, he reportedly acknowledged using an offensive term, claiming it was a homophobic insult rather than a racial slur. That admission may still carry disciplinary implications under UEFA’s regulations governing discriminatory behaviour of any kind.
Benfica has publicly expressed support for Prestianni, stating confidence in his character while preparing a formal defence aimed at challenging or reducing the sanction.
Wider Context: Racism in European Football
The case has reignited debate about racism in European football, particularly given Vinícius Júnior’s repeated experiences of abuse in Spain and other competitions in recent seasons.
Vinícius has become one of the most high-profile voices advocating for stronger institutional responses to discriminatory behaviour. His previous cases have prompted La Liga and other football bodies to introduce tougher sanctions and stadium bans.
Prestianni’s suspension represents a tactical setback for Benfica ahead of the decisive second leg. Real Madrid enter the return fixture holding a narrow one-goal advantage, and the Portuguese side will now have to adjust their attacking structure without the midfielder.
As UEFA’s investigation progresses, the final ruling may set another important precedent in how European football authorities address allegations of racism and discriminatory conduct at elite level competitions.
