Actual Madrid are set to tackle Benfica within the Champions League on Wednesday night, and UEFA have decided on Gianluca Prestianni’s participation

Gianluca Prestianni has been accused of racially abusing Vini Jr (Picture: Getty)
Gianluca Prestianni will NOT play in Benfica’s second-leg knockout stage Champions League conflict with Actual Madrid on Wednesday night, as UEFA continues to research allegations of racism on the participant’s half. Tensions flared in the course of the reverse leg of the tie on the Estadio da Luz final week, when Vinicius Junior was booked for dancing in entrance of the house crowd after scoring within the second-half.
Prestianni was then noticed confronting the Brazilian over his celebrations, pulling his shirt over his face whereas talking to him. Vini Jr then ran over to referee Francois Letexier stating that he had been racially abused by the Benfica participant, with the official immediately stopping the match. The sport was halted for round 10 minutes, as Vini Jr walked off the pitch earlier than he was noticed talking with As Aguias head coach Jose Mourinho.
After play resumed, Actual Madrid ran out 1-0 winners courtesy of Vini Jr’s decisive end, guaranteeing a bonus headed into the reverse leg of the tie on the Bernabeu come Wednesday night. Because of an investigation into allegations of racism, nevertheless, Prestianni has obtained a provisional one-game ban and won’t be eligible for choice for the pivotal encounter.
An announcement on the UEFA web site reads: “AB choice relating to the provisional suspension of SL Benfica participant Gianluca Prestianni. The UEFA Appeals Physique has taken right now the next choice: The enchantment lodged by SL Benfica is dismissed. Consequently, the UEFA Management, Ethics and Disciplinary Physique’s choice of 23 February 2026 is confirmed.”
It comes after UEFA made the choice to provisionally droop Prestianni on Monday. An announcement on the time learn: “Following the appointment of a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector (EDI) to research allegations of discriminatory behaviour in the course of the UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 Knock-out Play-off match between SL Benfica and Actual Madrid CF on 17 February 2026, and upon request of the EDI with an interim report, the UEFA Management, Ethics and Disciplinary Physique (CEDB) right now determined to provisionally droop Mr. Gianluca Prestianni for the subsequent (1) UEFA membership competitors match for which he would in any other case be eligible for the prima facie violation of Article 14 of the UEFA Disciplinary Laws (DR) associated to a discriminatory behaviour.
“Alternatively, it was only a poorly executed protocol that served no goal. I do not like to seem in conditions like this, particularly after a giant win and when the headlines must be about Actual Madrid, but it surely’s crucial.”
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