Report: Prestianni Gives Evidence in UEFA Probe Into Alleged Abuse of Vinícius Jr

UEFA’s disciplinary course of is now in movement following the flashpoint between Vinícius Jr and Gianluca Prestianni throughout Actual Madrid’s 1–0 Champions League playoff win over Benfica, and new particulars have emerged by way of ESPN relating to the Benfica participant’s protection.

In response to ESPN, Prestianni has already offered testimony to UEFA investigators inspecting the second-half incident on the Estádio da Luz. The controversy unfolded shortly after Vinícius scored the decisive objective, when the Brazilian ahead alerted the referee to racist abuse. The state of affairs escalated shortly, leading to a chronic stoppage of roughly 10 minutes earlier than the match resumed.

As first reported by ESPN, sources point out that Prestianni has denied utilizing the phrase “mono” — Spanish for “monkey” — which might represent racist abuse. As an alternative, he reportedly informed UEFA that he used a distinct offensive time period, an anti-gay slur in Spanish, claiming that was the extent of his comment.

After the match, Aurelien Tchouameni informed Spanish reporters that when confronted on the sector, Prestianni insisted he had not used racist language however had mentioned one thing homophobic as an alternative.

Actual Madrid, for his or her half, have taken an energetic function within the proceedings. The membership has submitted a complete file of fabric to UEFA, described as together with all proof at present obtainable to them.

Kylian Mbappé was amongst those that spoke most forcefully after the ultimate whistle. The French ahead maintained that he personally heard racist language directed at Vinícius.

“I heard it,” Mbappé mentioned. “There are Benfica gamers that additionally heard it.”

Mbappé added that he heard the alleged abuse repeated a number of instances in the course of the trade.

Head coach Álvaro Arbeloa later addressed the matter publicly, urging UEFA to reply decisively. Arbeloa expressed hope that the case may mark a significant step ahead in combating discriminatory habits in European soccer.

Underneath UEFA’s disciplinary code, racist and anti-gay insults fall below the identical article. Article 14 of the rules states:

“Any entity or individual topic to those rules who insults the human dignity of an individual or group of individuals on no matter grounds, together with pores and skin color, race, faith, ethnic origin, gender or sexual orientation, incurs a suspension lasting no less than ten matches or a specified time period, or another applicable sanction.”