Benfica president defends Prestianni, calls suspension 'unfair'

Benfica president Rui Costa has strongly defended Gianluca Prestianni after UEFA handed the Argentine winger a provisional one-match suspension following an exchange with Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior in the first leg at the Estadio da Luz. The club says the player is being unfairly maligned and remains firmly behind him as they prepare for the return at the Bernabéu.

Speaking at the airport before the squad flew to Spain, Costa criticised the timing of the disciplinary move and stressed that the process is not finished. "I wasn't on the field to know what was said or not said; in a situation like that, a lot can be said. We believe our player's word, who is being labelled a racist, but he is anything but racist," he said, adding that the decision was "not final and even if unfair".

Costa also highlighted what he sees as inconsistent treatment of incidents, pointing to an episode involving Federico Valverde and Samuel Dahl in which Valverde allegedly threw a punch and was not punished.

Spain

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