A shadow has fallen over Benfica’s Champions League campaign. Young Argentine winger Gianluca Prestianni has received a one-game suspension from UEFA, effectively sidelining him for the crucial second leg against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The suspension isn’t about on-field performance, but a deeply troubling allegation. It stems from the explosive scenes at the Estádio da Luz last Tuesday, where a moment of victory for Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. was marred by accusations of racist abuse.
Following Vinicius’ winning goal, the match was halted for nearly ten minutes. The Brazilian star reported being subjected to a horrific slur – called a “monkey” – allegedly by Prestianni. The accusation carries immense weight, supported by the testimony of teammate Kylian Mbappé, who reportedly overheard the slur repeated multiple times.
UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body acted swiftly, issuing the provisional ban “without prejudice” to the ongoing investigation. Should Prestianni be found guilty, the consequences could be severe, potentially leading to a minimum ten-game suspension.
Benfica has vowed to fight the provisional suspension, but acknowledges the limited timeframe. An appeal is unlikely to be processed before Wednesday’s pivotal match in Madrid, leaving the team facing a significant setback.
The controversy extends beyond the pitch and into the manager’s box. Benfica’s head coach, Jose Mourinho, has made the startling decision to forgo all pre and post-match media duties for the Madrid trip.
Mourinho is already serving a touchline ban from the first leg, allowing his assistant to handle press responsibilities. However, this move appears to be a direct response to the intense backlash he received for his post-match comments.
His remarks, suggesting Vinicius’ celebration provoked the home crowd, ignited a firestorm of criticism. Anti-racism groups accused Mourinho of “gaslighting,” a charge that resonated deeply and drew condemnation from fellow managers like Vincent Kompany, who called the comments a “huge mistake.”
By retreating from the media spotlight, Mourinho seems to be attempting to weather the storm. But his silence leaves Benfica navigating a treacherous path – a depleted squad, a distracted atmosphere, and a daunting 1-0 deficit to overcome in the heart of Spain.
The incident has cast a dark cloud over the Champions League, forcing a reckoning with the persistent issue of racism in football and the responsibility of those in positions of power to address it.
