UEFA suspends Benfica's Prestianni over alleged discrimination

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Reported Facts

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•UEFA announced a provisional one-match suspension for Gianluca Prestianni on 23 February 2026, pending a full disciplinary investigation.
•The alleged abuse took place during a Champions League match between Benfica and Real Madrid involving Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior.
•The suspension applied to the second-leg Champions League match between Real Madrid and Benfica at the Santiago Bernabéu.
•Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois stated that homophobic insults should be treated as seriously as racist abuse when asked about the case.
•Benfica president Rui Costa said before traveling to Spain that Prestianni is "not racist" and backed the player publicly.
•Benfica assistant coach Luís Tralhão refused to answer questions about Prestianni’s case at a press conference, telling reporters the team would not talk about it.
•Media in South Africa and Nigeria reported that UEFA is investigating whether Prestianni used a racist slur against Vinícius Júnior.
•The provisional ban was issued under UEFA rules that allow players to be suspended while alleged discriminatory conduct is reviewed.

▸If UEFA’s investigation confirms that Gianluca Prestianni used discriminatory language toward Vinícius Júnior UEFA may hand down a longer suspension and a fine for Benfica, affecting the player’s availability in future European matches.

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