UEFA Ban Rocks Benfica Before Bernabéu Showdown
Benfica’s preparations for their decisive Champions League trip to the Santiago Bernabéu have taken a major hit, with UEFA handing Gianluca Prestianni a provisional one‑match suspension. The 19‑year‑old Argentine winger will miss the second leg against Real Madrid after being accused of using racist language toward Vinícius Júnior in the first leg in Lisbon.
UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body confirmed that the ban is an interim measure while a full investigation into alleged discriminatory behaviour is carried out. The case has been forwarded to an ethics and disciplinary inspector, who will continue gathering evidence before any final verdict or additional sanction is decided.
What Happened in the First Leg?
The controversy stems from Real Madrid’s 1–0 win over Benfica on February 17, a tight knockout play‑off clash that was overshadowed by the racism row involving Vinícius. Shortly after scoring the only goal of the game, the Brazilian forward complained to referee François Letexier that he had been racially abused by Prestianni.
Television footage showed Prestianni covering his mouth with his shirt before speaking, with Vinícius and nearby teammates claiming he used the Spanish word “mono,” meaning “monkey.” Kylian Mbappé, who also featured in the match, publicly backed Vinícius’s version and called for tough punishment, saying this kind of behaviour “cannot be tolerated” in football. The match was halted for several minutes under FIFA’s anti‑racism protocol before eventually restarting.
Prestianni’s Defence and Benfica’s Reaction
Prestianni has firmly denied the accusation, insisting that Vinícius misheard what he said during the heated exchange. In a social‑media statement, the winger wrote that at no point did he direct racist insults at the Real Madrid star and that the situation has deeply affected him. Benfica have also come out strongly in support of their player and signalled they will appeal the provisional suspension.
The Portuguese club argue that the decision is “without prejudice” to the final outcome and say they trust the disciplinary process to establish the truth. Benfica officials have also complained that Prestianni has faced a wave of abuse since the story broke, portraying him as the target of a wider “defamation campaign” in parts of the media and on social platforms. For now, though, their hands are tied: the provisional ban stands, and the player will be unavailable at the Bernabéu.
Impact on the Tie and Benfica’s Game Plan
From a purely footballing perspective, the timing of the suspension could hardly be worse for Benfica. Real Madrid hold a narrow 1–0 lead heading into the second leg, and Prestianni had been one of the key attacking options for Roger Schmidt’s side in recent weeks. Without him, Benfica lose a direct, pacey outlet on the wing, which may force a tactical reshuffle and more reliance on experienced forwards in central areas.
For Madrid, the decision removes a potential threat in transition and slightly tilts the tie further in their favour as they look to finish the job at home. The atmosphere at the Bernabéu is also likely to be charged, with home supporters rallying around Vinícius and Mbappé after yet another high‑profile racism incident involving the Brazilian. The tie, already finely balanced on the scoreboard, now carries an additional emotional and political weight.
UEFA’s Stance on Discrimination
UEFA’s move to suspend Prestianni before the investigation is fully concluded underlines how seriously the governing body says it takes allegations of racism. Their statement stressed that the provisional ban is an exceptional step based on a “prima facie” assessment—meaning there is enough initial evidence to justify temporary action while the case is examined in detail.
If Prestianni is eventually found guilty of discriminatory behaviour, he could face a lengthy suspension, with talk of potential bans of up to ten matches in similar cases. At the same time, UEFA has framed the current decision as reversible, making it clear that all options remain open depending on the final report of the ethics and disciplinary inspector. The outcome could become a landmark moment in how European football balances due process for players with the need to protect victims of abuse.
Beyond One Match: The Wider Debate
This incident is not happening in isolation. Vinícius has been at the centre of multiple racism cases in recent seasons, particularly in Spain, and has repeatedly called out what he sees as insufficient protection from authorities. The Prestianni case adds another chapter to that story and will fuel debate about whether football’s institutions are moving fast and decisively enough to tackle discrimination.
For Benfica, the club must now juggle three battles at once: trying to overturn the deficit on the pitch, defending their young winger off it, and managing the reputational damage that comes with any allegation of racism. For Real Madrid, the priority will be to qualify, but the club and its players also know this tie will be remembered as much for what happened around Vinícius as for the result itself. Whatever UEFA decides in the coming weeks, the fallout from this episode is likely to echo well beyond this season’s Champions League.