Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni Denies Racism Claims After Incident With Vinícius Junior
Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni has denied claims of racism following a tense altercation with Vinícius Junior during Tuesday night’s UEFA Champions League play-off match against Real Madrid. The incident took place in the 51st minute at Estádio da Luz, shortly after Vinícius had given Madrid a 1-0 lead. The Brazilian told referee François Letexier that Prestianni had allegedly used a racial slur while covering his mouth with his shirt. FIFA’s anti-racism protocol was immediately activated, leading to an 11-minute stoppage as officials and team captains discussed the situation on the pitch. On Wednesday, Prestianni took to social media to clarify his side, insisting his words were misinterpreted. The Argentine stated he has never acted in a racist manner and expressed regret that Vinícius may have misunderstood him during the heated moment. He also claimed he faced threats from Real Madrid players in the tunnel after the match. “I want to make it clear that at no point did I direct racist insults to Vini Jr, who unfortunately misunderstood what he thought he heard. I have never been racist toward anyone and I regret the threats I received from Real Madrid players,” Prestianni said. The allegation drew attention from Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé, who said he heard the remarks and called for strict action if verified. Vinícius also addressed the matter online, condemning racism and calling out those responsible. Benfica coach José Mourinho defended Prestianni, suggesting the confrontation may have arisen from provocation or a language misunderstanding rather than racial abuse. UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body is expected to open a formal investigation following referee Letexier’s match report. If Prestianni is found guilty, he could face a ban of at least 10 matches under UEFA rules.
