Gianluca Prestianni has reportedly claimed that Vinicius Junior referred to him as a “dwarf” during a heated UEFA Champions League clash between Benfica and Real Madrid last week. The allegation has emerged amid an ongoing investigation into claims of racist abuse during the first leg of their play-off tie in Lisbon.
Prestianni, a 20-year-old Argentine midfielder, has been provisionally suspended for one match by UEFA while the governing body conducts a full disciplinary review. The suspension rules him out of the decisive second leg in Madrid on Wednesday. The controversy stems from an incident that occurred shortly after Vinicius scored the winning goal in the 50th minute, sparking tense scenes on the pitch.
According to reports, Prestianni was accused of directing the word “mono” — Spanish for “monkey” — at Vinicius following the Brazilian winger’s celebratory gestures in front of the Benfica supporters. Vinicius immediately reported the alleged abuse to the referee, leading to a delay of approximately 10 minutes as officials assessed the situation. Television footage appeared to show Prestianni covering his mouth with his shirt while speaking to Vinicius, further fueling suspicion.
However, Prestianni has strongly denied using racist language. Instead, he reportedly admits to using a different offensive term — the Spanish homophobic slur “maricon” — in what he claims was a retaliatory response. Standing at 5ft 5in, Prestianni is one of the shortest players competing at this level, and he allegedly argues that his reaction came after Vinicius mocked his height by calling him a “dwarf” or “midget.”
Sources close to the investigation suggest that this line of defense is unlikely to mitigate the seriousness of the case. Even if Prestianni’s account were accepted, discriminatory or abusive language — whether racist or homophobic — constitutes a breach of disciplinary regulations. Under Article 14 of UEFA’s rules, players found guilty of racist or discriminatory conduct can face severe sanctions, including lengthy suspensions.
The situation escalated further when Kylian Mbappe claimed after the match that he had heard Prestianni repeat the alleged racist insult five times. Mbappe stated that such behavior should have no place in European football and suggested that any player found guilty of racism should be banned from the competition permanently. His remarks intensified public scrutiny and added pressure on UEFA to act decisively.
UEFA’s provisional one-match ban has already sparked controversy. Benfica released an official statement expressing regret over the immediate suspension, arguing that it was premature while the investigation remains ongoing. The Portuguese club confirmed its intention to appeal the decision in hopes of overturning the ban before the second leg in Madrid.
Club president Rui Costa publicly defended Prestianni, insisting that the player has been unfairly labeled. Costa emphasized that no conclusive proof has yet been presented and maintained that the midfielder is not racist. He described the provisional suspension as unjustified and expressed confidence in the player’s character.
Reports indicate that UEFA’s decision to impose an interim ban may have been influenced by concerns about potential tensions before kickoff in Madrid. There were fears that a traditional pre-match handshake between players might not occur, drawing parallels with a previous high-profile incident involving Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra. In that case, Suarez refused to shake Evra’s hand during a Premier League fixture between Liverpool and Manchester United in 2012 after serving a ban for racially abusing the French defender.
Under UEFA regulations, racist and homophobic abuse are treated with equal severity. Should Prestianni ultimately be found guilty of racially abusing Vinicius, he could face a suspension of up to 10 matches. A similar punishment was handed to Ondrej Kudela after he was found guilty of racially abusing Glen Kamara during a 2021 Europa League tie.
Importantly, while discriminatory remarks fall under strict disciplinary codes, insults targeting physical characteristics such as height, weight, or baldness are not explicitly covered by UEFA’s anti-discrimination provisions. Nevertheless, such taunts can still inflame tensions and escalate conflicts on the pitch.
As the investigation continues, the case has reignited debate about discrimination in football and the responsibility of governing bodies to respond firmly. With the second leg looming and reputations at stake, all eyes remain on UEFA’s final ruling, which could have significant consequences for both Prestianni’s career and the broader fight against abuse in the sport.