In the high-stakes world of European football, a tense moment on the pitch during a crucial Champions League knockout tie has sparked widespread debate.
What began as a competitive clash between Real Madrid and Benfica quickly escalated into controversy involving allegations of discriminatory language, a brief match interruption, and strong denials from those at the center of the storm.
While the racism allegations against Gianluca Presistianni are under investigation, with him banned for the second leg, Benfica's president, Rui Costa, has firmly backed the young player at the center of the controversy.
Benfica president Rui Costa's BIG statement on Prestianni & Vinicius racism controversy
Costa has defended winger Prestianni against racism allegations levelled by Los Blancos star Vininius Junior during a Champions League tie, insisting the 18-year-old Argentine is not racist based on trust in his character, despite admitting uncertainty over the exact words exchanged. He said:
“Prestianni is being called a racist, but he is anything but racist. I can guarantee”.
The club president continued:
“I can not know what was said or not said. What we believe is in the word of Prestianni; more than that, it is knowing the players we have at home”.
Meanwhile, UEFA has provisionally suspended Prestianni for one match after Vinicius reported a racist slur following Madrid's 1-0 win. Although the player confessed to a homophobic insult instead, this echoes ongoing scrutiny of discriminatory abuse in European football, with the 15-time UCL champions vowing continued anti-racism efforts.