Gianluca Prestianni is under investigation following the first-leg incident (Image: Soccrates Images, Getty Images)
Benfica have refuted claims that Gianluca Prestianni confessed to his team-mates that he had racially abused Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior. Prestianni was ruled out of the second leg of their Champions League clash against Real on Wednesday evening following UEFA’s launch of an investigation into the accusations.
Real advanced into the last 16 of the Champions League in a tie overshadowed by an incident during the first leg in Portugal. Vinicius informed the referee that Prestianni had employed a racial slur after opening the scoring and being booked for his celebrations. The Benfica player subsequently rejected the accusations, stating his opponent had « misinterpreted » his words after covering his mouth with his shirt. Nevertheless, Portuguese media outlets have suggested the 20-year-old subsequently acknowledged his wrongdoing to his team-mates and offered an apology.
Benfica have now issued a fresh statement to counter those claims.
It states: « Benfica categorically denies that the player Prestianni has communicated to the squad or the club’s structure that he has uttered a racist insult to the player Vinicius Jr, from Real Madrid.
« As has already been made public, the player apologised to his team-mates for the incident that occurred during the match against Real Madrid, regretting the dimension and consequences of it and assuring everyone, as he has done since the first hour, that he is not racist. »
In his initial social media statement, Prestianni declared: « I want to clarify that at no time did I direct racist insults at the player Vinicius Junior, who unfortunately misinterpreted what he thought he heard.
« I have never been racist and I regret the threats I received from Real Madrid players. »
UEFA suspended the Argentine for the second leg and have launched an investigation. He faces a potential 10-match ban if found guilty.
Responding to UEFA’s ruling, Benfica issued a statement saying: « The club regrets being deprived of the player whilst the process is still under investigation and will appeal this UEFA decision, even though the deadlines in question are unlikely to have any practical effect on the second leg of the Champions League play-off.
Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings.
Prestianni stands accused of racially abusing Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr (Image: Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
« Benfica also reaffirms its unwavering commitment to combating all forms of racism or discrimination, values that are part of its historical identity and are reflected in its daily actions, its global community, the work of the Benfica Foundation, and major figures in the club’s history, such as Eusebio. »
Vinicius has received backing from his club and scored in the second leg to aid Real’s advancement.
He posted on social media: « Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts over their mouths to demonstrate how weak they are.
« But they have the protection of others who, theoretically, have the obligation to punish them. Nothing that happened here is new in my life or my family’s.
« I received a yellow card for celebrating a goal. I still don’t understand why. On the other hand, it was just a poorly executed protocol that served no purpose.
« I don’t like appearing in situations like this, especially after a great victory when the headlines have to be about Real Madrid, but it’s necessary. »
EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Source link
