Argentine Star Gianluca Prestianni Provides Testimony to UEFA in Abuse Investigation Involving Vinicius Jr
Argentine winger Gianluca Prestianni has reportedly submitted his official testimony to the European football governing body, UEFA, as investigations intensify into the alleged racial abuse of Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior. The incident unfolded during a high-stakes UEFA Champions League knockout playoff match between Benfica and Real Madrid held in Lisbon, Portugal.
Details of the Controversial Match Incident
The controversy erupted in the second half of the game at Estadio da Luz. Brazilian star Vinicius Jr scored the sole goal of the match in the 50th minute, and his celebratory actions reportedly provoked outrage among some fans, leading to a yellow card from the referee for provocation. Just five minutes later, Vinicius Jr accused Prestianni of racially abusing him before the match resumed.
Witnesses described Prestianni covering his face with his shirt and exchanging words with Vinicius, prompting the 25-year-old to approach the referee. This confrontation resulted in a 10-minute stoppage before play continued, highlighting the tense atmosphere on the field.
Prestianni's Testimony and Club Support
Prestianni, a former Argentina U19 player, has already met with UEFA investigators to discuss the events. According to reports from ESPN, the 20-year-old allegedly told UEFA that he used a different offensive expression, specifically an anti-gay slur in Spanish, rather than the racial abuse initially claimed.
Benfica, Prestianni's club, has publicly offered full support during the investigation. In an official statement, the Portuguese club emphasized its commitment to values of equality, respect, and inclusion, while also expressing regret over what it described as a defamation campaign against the player.
Potential Penalties and FIFA's Stance
FIFA, the world football governing body, has formally notified Benfica of the exact penalties that could be imposed if Prestianni or the club are found guilty under the ongoing racism investigation. The newly strengthened zero-tolerance policy on racism will be fully enforced, with potential sanctions including:
- Points deduction for the club.
- A ban of five to ten matches for Prestianni.
- Fines ranging from €5 million to €10 million, plus additional penalties.
- Possible expulsion or relegation.
- Forfeiture of matches, including automatic disqualification from the next round if qualified.
- Severe competitive penalties for any repeat offences.
Public Reaction and Broader Context
Fans have reacted strongly to the news on social media, with many expressing skepticism about Prestianni's testimony. Some users pointed out that admitting to a homophobic slur does not mitigate the situation, as UEFA applies similar minimum suspensions for both racist and anti-gay abuse.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of ongoing racism issues in football. For instance, Legit.ng recently reported that Nigerian defender Calvin Bassey faced racial abuse on social media after a match, underscoring the persistent challenges in the sport.
As the investigation proceeds, UEFA will review all evidence to determine the appropriate course of action, with outcomes potentially impacting Prestianni's career and Benfica's standing in European competitions.
