Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior accused Gianluca Prestiani of racist abuse after Benfica’s midfield covered his mouth during last week’s Champions League play-off match
Gianluca Prestiani allegedly racially abused Vinicius Junior (Image: Soccrates Images, Getty Images)
The Press Association understands that players who cover their mouths when speaking to opponents could face future sanctions. Gianluca Prestiani is under investigation for allegedly racially abusing Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior during last week’s Champions League match.
What Mr. Prestiani said to Mr. Vinicius is disputed, and Mr. Prestiani strongly denies using racist language. The Argentine player covered his mouth as if he wanted to say something to Vinicius.
FIFA is said to be keen to explore ways to tackle the issue and is understood to have raised the idea of introducing deterrents against such behavior at a technical meeting on Friday ahead of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) annual general meeting in Wales on Saturday.
One source has referred to this as “Vinicius’ law”, and it is understood that the British associations that make up IFAB along with FIFA welcome the idea, but discussions are still at an early stage and the practicalities of enforcement will need to be carefully considered.
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However, this is understood to be only the beginning of discussions and formal proposals to tackle the issue are not expected to be submitted immediately. FIFA is also believed to have proposed increasing penalties for players leaving the pitch with a yellow card or a red card, following the chaos that followed the final match between Senegal and Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations.
FIFA has been contacted for comment. Vinicius is said to have been abused during Real Madrid’s win over Benfica in Lisbon on February 17.
The 25-year-old left the field after reporting a member of Benfica’s team – who the Spanish side later claimed was Prestiani – to referee François Letexier. The game was temporarily suspended in accordance with UEFA regulations, and although the stoppage lasted for 10 minutes, Vinicius continued to play the full game and Real won 1-0.
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The match was suspended for 10 minutes following a complaint from Vinicius Junior (Image: Miguel Lemos/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
It happened after the Brazilian forward gave his team the lead five minutes into the second half with a brilliant individual strike. After celebrating in front of his home fans, the 25-year-old was visibly upset by what was said to him and immediately informed L’Etexier.
After the match, Vinicius posted on his Instagram Story in Portuguese: “Racists are cowards above all. They need to shove their shirts in their mouths to show how weak they are.”
He started for Real in Wednesday’s return match and had the final word as the Spanish giants progressed to the last 16, securing a 2-1 win on the night with a clinical 80th-minute finish and a 3-1 success on aggregate.
UEFA imposed a provisional sanction on Prestiani on Monday, excluding him from the tie, but the winger was traveling to Madrid as part of Benfica’s squad. The Portuguese club had appealed the decision to suspend Prestiani, but UEFA rejected the appeal on Wednesday afternoon.
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