UEFA has opted to rule Gianluca Prestianni out of Wednesday’s game at Real Madrid
Benfica have announced they will appeal UEFA’s decision to provisionally suspend forward Gianluca Prestianni for one game, ruling him out of the Champions League clash with Real Madrid on Wednesday night.
UEFA opted to hand Prestianni a one-game ban while a fuller investigation is carried out into claims the Argentine racially abused Madrid winger Vinícius Jr during the first leg of their play-off clash in Lisbon last week.
Prestianni could yet face a much tougher sanction if he is found guilty.
Unhappy Benfica set to appeal UEFA verdict
The 20-year-old has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and Benfica swiftly announced they would appeal UEFA’s ruling even if it is unlikely to result in the player being available for the game in Madrid in a little over 48 hours.
A club statement read: “Benfica took note of UEFA’s decision to apply a provisional suspension of one game to its player Gianluca Prestianni, as part of the ongoing investigation regarding the incident that occurred in the game against Real Madrid.
“The club regrets being deprived of the player while the case is still under investigation and will appeal this UEFA decision, even if the deadlines in question will hardly have any practical effect on the second-leg of the Champions League play-off.
“Benfica also reaffirms its unwavering commitment to combating any form of racism or discrimination, values that are part of its historical identity and that are reflected in its daily action, in its global community, in the work of the Benfica Foundation and in larger figures in the history of the club, such as Eusébio.”
more to follow
