NEW YORK, Switzerland (AP) – UEFA has rejected Benfica’s last-minute appeal against Gianluca Prestiani’s provisional suspension, leaving him excluded from Wednesday’s Champions League play-off second leg against Real Madrid.
Prestiani is Temporarily closed on Mondays He only played in one game after being accused of racially abusing Vinicius Junior in last week’s first leg.
The match was stopped for nearly 10 minutes after the Madrid forward scored, before being celebrated with Benfica’s corner flag, leaving local fans and players upset. After confronting Prestiani, Vinicius accused the Argentine player of calling him a “monkey”.
Prestiani covered his mouth with his shirt while talking to Vinicius. denied racial insults Black Brazilian star.
UEFA announced on Wednesday that its appeals body had rejected Benfica’s appeal against the suspension and confirmed the decision of the Management, Ethics and Disciplinary Body from Monday.
Anti-racism protocols were activated during the match, but no further action was taken as there was no evidence against Prestiani.
Vinicius’ teammate Kylian Mbappe said he heard Prestiani use a racial slur five times.
But for Benfica supported Madrid players claimed they had heard the insult was too far gone. The Portuguese club welcomed UEFA’s investigation, saying it “fully supports and believes” Prestiani’s “actions during his time at the club have always been based on respect for everyone”.
Jose Mourinho also backed Prestiani, criticizing Vinicius for the player’s planned post-goal celebration. The Benfica manager said that something always happens in the stadium where Vinicius plays.
Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said on Tuesday that it was wrong to use Vinicius’ celebration to justify an alleged racist act.
Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany was one of them. criticized Mourinho For attacking Vinicius after last week’s game.
Mourinho was suspended for the second leg after being sent off for dissent by the referee towards the end of the first leg. However, he also traveled to Madrid with Prestiani, who trained with the rest of the team on Wednesday, before UEFA rejected the club’s appeal.
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