Benfica-Real Madrid: Prestani strongly denies accusations of racial discrimination
Prestiani/@x.com/ActuFoot_
The first leg of the Champions League play-offs between Benfica and Real Madrid saw the Madrid club win 1-0, but was overshadowed by intense controversy. After the final whistle, Vinicius Junior accused Argentina winger Gianluca Prestani of hurling racist insults at him during the match.
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The Brazil striker claimed he was the target of offensive remarks, noting that the Benfica player allegedly covered his mouth with his shirt when he said the incriminating words.
The controversy escalated after Kylian Mbappe intervened. The France international claimed he had heard the slur five times and called for punitive sanctions to be imposed if the facts were proven.
“Benfica’s number 25 – I don’t want to mention his name – made unacceptable remarks. Then he covered his mouth with his shirt and called Vinicius a monkey. Five times. I heard it, and so did the other Benfica players,” Mbappe claimed.
He added: “Such behavior has no place in the Champions League. We must be flawless in front of the fans and the children. Otherwise, the values of football lose all meaning.”
Prestiani’s reaction
Gianluca Prestani responded on his Instagram account hours after the game, firmly denying the accusations.
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“I would like to clarify that I have never made a racist insult towards Vinicius Junior. He believes that the words he heard were misunderstood,” he wrote.
The Argentinian player also expressed regret for the threats he received after the game and reiterated that he had never made a racist comment throughout his career.
As of now, UEFA has not issued any official decision. A possible investigation is likely to be launched in the coming days, with the return leg in Madrid already taking place against a particularly tense backdrop.