gianluca prestianni at center of new UEFA probe after Vinicius Jr alleges racist abuse
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr halted Tuesday's Champions League play-off first leg in Lisbon after alleging racist abuse directed at him by Benfica midfielder gianluca prestianni. UEFA has opened an ethics and disciplinary investigation, while the accused player denies the claim and is expected to be available for the second leg next Wednesday (ET).
What unfolded at the Estadio da Luz
Moments after Vinicius scored what turned out to be the only goal of the match, he sprinted toward the referee and pointed in the direction of a Benfica player. The referee made FIFA's anti-racism gesture — crossing his arms above his head — and play was paused for roughly eight to ten minutes under the protocol designed to tackle racist incidents during matches.
The allegation centers on gianluca prestianni, who is accused of using a racial slur. Prestianni has denied directing racist remarks at Vinicius, and Benfica publicly backed the player while reiterating the club's stated commitment to equality and inclusion. Team-mates of the Madrid forward, notably Kylian Mbappe, pressed the case in post-match comments, saying they heard the term multiple times.
Benfica's manager offered a sharply critical take of the celebration that followed the goal, suggesting the incident might have been provoked by the reaction on the pitch. He also referenced the club's historic Black legend in defending the institution from claims of systemic racism, a stance that drew strong pushback from anti-racism advocates who described it as dismissive of the player's complaint.
UEFA investigation and disciplinary context
European football's governing body has assigned an ethics and disciplinary inspector to gather evidence and interview participants. Because of the profile of those involved, the inquiry is not expected to conclude quickly; the process could run into weeks rather than days, which leaves room for the second leg to take place before any ruling is reached.
Past cases set a precedent for lengthy probes: high-profile incidents have resulted in suspensions handed down weeks after the events, and the minimum sanctioned ban for racist conduct typically starts at ten matches, often accompanied by mandated educational programs for the club involved. That framework frames the potential consequences here if disciplinary authorities find wrongdoing.
Reaction, implications and what comes next
The episode has again forced a wider conversation about how clubs, officials and governing bodies handle allegations of racism. For Vinicius, this marks what he and observers describe as the 20th incident of alleged racist abuse over eight years at his club, reinforcing his status as a central figure in football's struggle against discrimination.
Benfica say they support their player and emphasise their historical ties to anti-racism values, while Real Madrid's camp has stood firmly behind Vinicius. Anti-racism organisations have criticised any attempt to personalise the incident or to use club history as a defence, urging that individual allegations be assessed on their merits and treated seriously.
Next steps will include formal interviews gathered by the appointed inspector, review of on-field and off-field audio and video evidence, and written statements from the players, referee and match delegates. The immediate competitive picture remains uncertain: gianluca prestianni is likely to be available for selection at the Bernabéu next Wednesday (ET) unless a rapid provisional measure is imposed, but the cloud of inquiry will hang over both legs of the tie.
Whatever the outcome of the formal process, the incident underscores a persistent problem in the sport: high-profile allegations continue to spark the same cycle of denial, defence and delayed disciplinary action, leaving questions about deterrence and accountability unanswered.
