Benfica’s Prestianni Suspended Ahead of Real Madrid Champions League Clash Amid Racism Allegations
Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni has been provisionally suspended by UEFA ahead of the second leg of their Champions League playoff against Real Madrid. The suspension stems from allegations of racist behavior during the first leg, which Real Madrid won 1-0, and follows an incident involving Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior.
Incident and UEFA’s Response
The controversy erupted during the first leg at Estádio da Luz on February 17, 2026, after Vinícius Júnior scored the winning goal. Following the goal, an exchange occurred between Vinícius Júnior and Prestianni, with Vinícius alleging racist abuse. Prestianni reportedly covered his mouth and appeared to direct a comment towards Vinícius, prompting the Real Madrid player to raise concerns with the referee, François Letexier.
In response, UEFA activated a racism protocol and has now provisionally suspended Prestianni for the second leg, which will be played at the Santiago Bernabéu on February 25, 2026. This measure prevents Prestianni from participating in the crucial match as Benfica seeks to overturn the first-leg deficit and secure a place in the Champions League round of 16.
Legal Assessment and Benfica’s Appeal
Toni Roca, a sports law specialist, commented on the unusual nature of the suspension, noting that such provisional measures are “not common.” Roca explained that the suspension is a disciplinary tool used in serious cases, particularly those involving racism, but highlighted that a similar situation in 2021 ultimately resulted in no sanction due to a lack of conclusive evidence. ESPN
Benfica has formally appealed UEFA’s decision, expressing confidence in Prestianni’s innocence. A key argument in the appeal centers on the lack of clear visual evidence, with the case relying heavily on testimonies. Roca pointed out that UEFA is acting to prevent escalation in the second leg, but acknowledged that if the investigation ultimately finds insufficient evidence, Prestianni will have already missed the match without compensation.
Potential Sanctions
Roca emphasized the severity of potential sanctions for racist behavior, stating that the minimum penalty UEFA can impose is a 10-game suspension. Any confirmed instance of racism carries one of the most serious sanctions available to UEFA.
Match Details
The second leg between Real Madrid and Benfica is scheduled for February 25, 2026, at 20:00 UTC at the Bernabéu stadium in Madrid, Spain. Sofascore Real Madrid currently holds a 1-0 aggregate lead.