The first playoff clash of the Champions League between Benfica and Real Madrid ended 1-0 for the Spanish side, but the result was overshadowed by a major controversy: Brazilian star Vinícius Júnior reported that he was subjected to a racist insult from Argentine youngster Gianluca Prestianni during the game.
The incident has triggered a disciplinary protocol now under investigation by UEFA, which could lead to a severe sanction if the accusation is proven.
Timeline of the incident
Moments after scoring to make it 1-0, Vinícius Júnior celebrated with a dance near the corner flag in front of the home supporters, a gesture that immediately sparked tension on the pitch. The celebration drew a reaction from Nico Otamendi, who confronted the Brazilian to protest what he considered provocative behavior.
The situation escalated seconds later when Vinícius exchanged heated words with Gianluca Prestianni. During that interaction, the Benfica player covered his mouth with his shirt while speaking.
Right after the exchange, Vinícius ran toward referee François Letexier and reported that he had been called “monkey,” prompting officials to halt play for nearly ten minutes while they evaluated how to proceed.
Following the stoppage and internal discussion among the officiating crew, the match was eventually restarted without any immediate disciplinary action taken on the field.
What could be the punishment for Prestianni for racist insults?
The case falls under Article 14 of UEFA’s disciplinary regulations, which states:
“Any entity or person, subject to the regulations, who insults the human dignity of an individual or group of individuals for any reason, including skin color, race, religion, origin, gender or sexual orientation, shall be subject to a suspension of at least ten matches or for a specified period of time, or any other appropriate sanction.
If investigators confirm a racist insult, the Argentine could be banned from European competitions for a lengthy period.
The potential punishment for Prestianni
- A minimum 10-match suspension for insults that violate human dignity.
- Additional economic sanctions depending on severity.
Why proving it may be difficult
Former Spanish referee Iturralde González said on the program El Larguero that the governing body could struggle to take disciplinary action. According to him, UEFA “will have a very hard time proving the insult,” explaining that officials will open an investigation and collect statements from players who were present, but if there is no clear visual or audio evidence, sanctions may be impossible. Television footage, he noted, does not allow lip-reading because the player’s mouth was covered during the exchange.
During the match itself, Kylian Mbappé repeatedly shouted toward Gianluca Prestianni, calling him “a racist.” The French forward later reinforced his stance publicly, saying that such behavior cannot be accepted in elite competition and adding that, in the heat of the moment, his team even considered leaving the field.
After the final whistle, Federico Valverde said teammates who were close to the incident claimed they heard something offensive, stressing that if a player covers his mouth while speaking, it suggests he knows what he is saying is inappropriate.
Aurélien Tchouaméni added that Vinícius told them he had been called “monkey,” though he also mentioned that the Benfica player denied saying anything, emphasizing that such situations should never occur regardless of the exact wording.
What happens next
The next step is a formal investigation by UEFA, which will open a disciplinary case to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to support the allegation. As part of this process, officials will gather the referee’s written report, review any available audiovisual material, and request statements from players and match personnel who were close to the incident.
Testimony will play a decisive role, especially given the lack of clear video proof. Investigators are expected to compare accounts from both teams, the officiating crew, and any additional witnesses in order to establish whether the alleged insult can be verified.
Once all evidence is analyzed, the case will be reviewed by UEFA’s disciplinary committee, which will decide whether to impose sanctions or close the proceedings without punishment. The referee’s official report is considered particularly important, as it could clarify whether any offensive language was heard or reported during the match.
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