Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni ban appeal rejected by UEFA following alleged racist abuse of Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior

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Benfica will be without Gianluca Prestianni for their UEFA Champions League play-off round second leg against Real Madrid on Wednesday, after his appeal against a provisional one-match ban was dismissed by UEFA. Prestianni was given the punishment following alleged racist abuse of Madrid's Vinicius Junior in the first leg of the tie. Madrid lead 1-0 after the first leg.

Highlights: Vini Jr stunner sees Real edge first leg

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Benfica’s appeal against a provisional one-match ban for Gianluca Prestianni following alleged racist abuse of Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior has been rejected by UEFA.

Vinicius said he had been racially abused by Prestianni after scoring in the UEFA Champions League play-off round first leg last week.

UEFA appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to investigate the incident and provisionally suspended Prestianni for one match, meaning he would miss the return leg against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Wednesday, February 25, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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Benfica appealed the decision, but it has not been successful.

A statement from UEFA said: "The appeal lodged by SL Benfica is dismissed. Consequently, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body’s decision of February 23, 2026 is confirmed.

"Mr Gianluca Prestianni remains provisionally suspended for the next UEFA club competition match for which he would otherwise be eligible."

Prestianni is 'cowardly' for covering face in Vinicius racism row, says Cole

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Prestianni, who denied the accusation of racism, trained alongside his Benfica team-mates at the Bernabeu this week.

However, he will not feature in the match, along with head coach Jose Mourinho, who will be absent from the dugout after being sent off in the first leg.

Mourinho has not been speaking to the media due to his ban, but his suggestion that Vinicius’ celebration was "disrespectful" has sparked strong reactions.

Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany said Mourinho made a "huge mistake" with his comments, and Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said he was "disappointed".

"Mourinho is Mourinho, and as a coach you'll always defend your club, and what your player has told you," Courtois said.

"But what disappointed me was using Vini's celebration. Vini didn't do anything wrong. We can't justify an apparent racist act because of a player's celebration."

The match was halted for 10 minutes after Vincius alerted the referee about the incident.

Courtois revealed that it was Vinicius who made the decision to continue playing.

'He is a fighter' - Arbeloa backs Vinicius Jr ahead of Benfica second leg

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"If Vini had said no, that he couldn't continue, then I think as a team we would have taken a stand there," he added.

"Then, obviously, the other things that happened in the stands, for me, are reasons to stop a match and throw those people out.

"If it happens right in front of someone who is two metres away - a Benfica stadium security guard - then that person has to act and call the authorities... I think we can keep improving, and I think as a society we also need to stop being so foolish."

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