UEFA has provisionally suspended Gianluca Prestianni ahead of Benfica’s Champions League play-off second leg against Real Madrid CF following allegations of racist abuse directed at Vinícius Júnior.

In a statement released on Monday, UEFA confirmed that its Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) imposed a one-match provisional suspension on the Benfica midfielder pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation.

The decision followed the appointment of a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector (EDI) to examine allegations of discriminatory behaviour during the first-leg clash between Benfica and Real Madrid on February 17, 2026, in Lisbon.

UEFA stated that the suspension relates to a “prima facie violation of Article 14 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations,” which addresses discriminatory conduct. 

The European football governing body stressed that the provisional sanction is without prejudice to any final ruling once the investigation is concluded.

The controversy stems from an incident during Real Madrid’s 1-0 victory in the first leg. After Vinícius scored, tensions escalated on the pitch, with the Brazilian forward accusing Prestianni of directing a racist slur at him. The referee activated UEFA’s anti-racism protocol, leading to a brief suspension of play lasting approximately 10 minutes.

Vinícius later took to social media, stating that “racists are, above all, cowards.”

Prestianni has denied making any racist remark, claiming instead that he used a homophobic insult rather than a racial one. Benfica has publicly expressed support for the player while preparing its defence ahead of potential further disciplinary proceedings.

UEFA’s disciplinary bodies are expected to review referee reports, match footage, witness statements and player testimonies before reaching a final decision. If found guilty, Prestianni could face an extended suspension.

The case has once again spotlighted the persistent issue of discrimination in European football, particularly given Vinícius Júnior’s previous experiences with abuse in Spain and other competitions.

Prestianni’s absence is likely to impact Benfica’s attacking options as they seek to overturn the first-leg deficit in the decisive return fixture.