UEFA Rejects Benfica Appeal: Prestianni Out Against Real Madrid

Benfica failed to revoke the provisional suspension imposed by UEFA on its player Gianluca Prestianni. The sanction came after accusations that Prestianni uttered racist insults against Real Madrid striker Vinícius Júnior. The UEFA had provisionally suspended Prestianni on Monday, preventing him from participating in the second leg of the Champions League qualifying round against Real Madrid in Madrid, held on Wednesday night. Benfica announced that it would appeal, but UEFA announced on Wednesday afternoon that the appeal had been dismissed.

Mr. Gianluca Prestianni remains provisionally suspended for the next UEFA club competition match for which he would otherwise be eligible.

UEFA Statement

UEFA appointed an ethics and disciplinary investigator (EDI) after the first leg match, during which Vinícius claimed to have been subjected to racist insults by Prestianni, something that the Benfica player denied. UEFA clarified that the provisional suspension was imposed “without prejudice to any decision that UEFA’s disciplinary bodies may subsequently take after the conclusion of the ongoing investigation and its respective presentation to UEFA’s disciplinary bodies”. The Brazilian player left the field and refused to return, causing a game interruption that lasted 10 minutes in last Tuesday’s first leg match in Lisbon. This happened after Vinícius gave his team the lead with a magnificent individual goal, which came from a tight angle five minutes into the second half. After celebrating in front of the local fans, he suddenly and visibly became annoyed by something he was told and immediately informed the referee, who stopped the match.

Thibaut Courtois ‘disappointed’ with José Mourinho’s comments on Vinícius Jr.

Explanation: What is Prima Facie, the term used in Gianluca Prestianni’s suspension?

Gianluca Prestianni provisionally suspended for Benfica’s second-leg tie against Real Madrid

José Mourinho also backed Prestianni and criticized Vinícius for his celebration after the goal, for which the player was cautioned. The Benfica coach said that something always happens in the stadiums where Vinícius plays. The Real Madrid goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, said on Tuesday that it was wrong to use Vinícius’ celebration to justify the alleged act of racism. Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany was among those who also criticized Mourinho for attacking Vinícius after last week’s match. Mourinho is suspended for the second leg because he was sent off at the end of the first leg for protesting to the referee. However, he traveled to Madrid with Prestianni, who trained with the rest of the team on Wednesday before UEFA rejected his club’s appeal.