Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni has been handed a provisional one-match ban from UEFA competition, as European football’s governing body continues to investigate allegations of racial abuse toward Vinicius Jr.
Last week, the first leg of the Champions League play-off between Benfica and Real Madrid was halted for 10 minutes when Vinicius Jr accused Prestianni of calling him a ‘monkey’ while covering his face, abusing him moments after he put the visitors in the lead in Lisbon.
The suspension means that Prestianni will be ineligible for the second leg between the two teams at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night.
A statement from UEFA read: ‘The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) today decided to provisionally suspend Mr. Gianluca Prestianni for the next (1) UEFA club competition match for which he would otherwise be eligible for the prima facie violation of Article 14 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations (DR) related to a discriminatory behaviour.
‘This is without prejudice to any ruling that the UEFA disciplinary bodies may subsequently make following the conclusion of the ongoing investigation and its respective submission to the UEFA disciplinary bodies.
‘Further information about this matter will be made available in due course.’
Gianluca Prestianni (right) has been handed a one-match suspension after allegations of racial abuse toward Vinicius Jr. (left)
More to follow.
