Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni has criticized UEFA's provisional ban over alleged racist abuse of Real Madrid's Vinícius Jr., denying the claims and lamenting the lack of proof after missing the Champions League return leg. With the investigation ongoing, he thanks his club for support amid the controversy.
In the ongoing saga stemming from the February 17 Champions League playoff first leg at Estádio da Luz—where Prestianni was accused of directing racist language at Vinícius Jr. after the Brazilian's goal, halting play for eight minutes—UEFA imposed a provisional one-game ban under Article 14 for discriminatory behavior. Benfica's appeal was dismissed, forcing the 20-year-old Argentine to sit out the February 25 return leg at Santiago Bernabéu, which Real Madrid won 2-1 (3-1 aggregate).
Speaking to Telefe nearly six weeks later, Prestianni stated: “I have never been racist, and I never will be. What hurt me the most was to be accused of something I never did. It was something I didn’t say, and they punished me without proof. I was very hurt that I couldn’t play the return leg. But it’s over.”
Benfica has fully backed Prestianni, viewing him as the victim of a smear campaign. The player praised coach José Mourinho and teammates for their support. With UEFA's full investigation continuing, Prestianni eyes a spot in Argentina's World Cup squad this summer, while Benfica trails Porto by seven points in the Primeira Liga with seven games remaining.
