UEFA provisionally suspends Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni after alleged Vinícius Jr. racism incident

European football’s governing body, UEFA, has provisionally suspended Gianluca Prestianni, the 20-year-old forward for SL Benfica, following allegations that he directed a racist comment towards Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior during their Champions League playoff clash on 17 February 2026. Incident Sparks Controversy The alleged incident occurred shortly after Vinícius scored the only goal in the first leg at Estádio da Luz, helping Real Madrid to a 1–0 lead. Following the goal celebration, Vinícius reported to referee François Letexier that Prestianni had made a racist remark while covering his mouth, a gesture that sparked immediate uproar on the pitch and among players. Play was halted for around 10 minutes as UEFA’s anti-racism protocols were activated, a rare and serious step taken only when allegations of discriminatory behaviour are formally reported during a match. UEFA Takes Action UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) confirmed on 23 February 2026 that Prestianni has been provisionally suspended for Benfica’s Champions League return leg against Real Madrid on 25 February. The suspension covers one match and is “without prejudice” to the final decision once UEFA completes its ongoing investigation. The interim measure comes after a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector was appointed to formally investigate the contested remarks under Article 14 of UEFA’s Disciplinary Regulations, which deals with discrimination and racist conduct. If Prestianni is ultimately found guilty of racial abuse, he could face a much longer ban, with regulations potentially imposing suspensions of 10 matches or more for confirmed racist conduct. Reactions and Denials Prestianni has denied the racist accusation, taking to social media after the first leg to claim he was misunderstood and that no racial insult was intended. Benfica, for its part, expressed support for the player while affirming its commitment to combating all forms of discrimination and stating it will appeal UEFA’s provisional decision. Meanwhile, Real Madrid players publicly backed Vinícius. Brazilian star Vinícius himself condemned racism and criticised the handling of the incident, while club defenders such as Trent Alexander-Arnold and forward Kylian Mbappé voiced support for strong disciplinary action. The Benfica–Real Madrid clash and subsequent controversy have reignited urgent conversations around racism in European football, with UEFA’s disciplinary process now playing out ahead of a hugely anticipated second leg in Madrid.