UEFA Provisionally Suspends Gianluca Prestianni After Accusation He Racially Abused Vinícius Júnior

UEFA has handed Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni a one-match provisional suspension after Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior accused him of racist abuse during last week’s Champions League playoff first leg. The ban rules the 19-year-old Argentine out of Wednesday’s decisive return fixture at the Santiago Bernabéu, where Real Madrid defend a 1-0 aggregate lead earned in Lisbon.

European football’s governing body acted swiftly after receiving the complaint, opting for an interim ban while disciplinary investigators gather evidence and hear witness testimony. No timeline has been given for a final ruling, but the suspension is effective immediately, forcing Benfica to plan without one of their emerging attackers for the must-win encounter.

Vinícius, who has previously spoken out against racism in Spanish football, alerted match officials and later UEFA after the incident allegedly occurred during the closing stages of the first-leg contest. Benfica have yet to comment publicly on the accusation or the suspension.

Real Madrid’s narrow advantage, courtesy of a solitary goal in the Portuguese capital, leaves the tie delicately poised, but Prestianni’s absence could deprive the visitors of a late attacking option as they seek to overturn the deficit and secure a place in the group stage.

UEFA said it will not make further statements until the investigation is complete.