Portuguese government opens probe after Vinicius accuses Benfica's Prestianni

The Portuguese government has announced it will carry out its own investigation into allegations of racism levelled at Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni after Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior raised the issue following a Champions League play-off at the Estadio da Luz.

Prestianni is 20 years old and Argentine. The incident occurred around ten minutes into the second half of the match in Lisbon on February 17. Play was halted as players clashed and match officials followed UEFA guidelines. Vinicius had scored and celebrated by the corner flag; as play was about to resume he told the referee something he said he had heard opposite him.

Prestianni is alleged to have made racist comments, with UEFA confirming it has opened an investigation and noting that "The official match reports from last night’s fixtures are currently being reviewed. When incidents are reported, procedures are initiated and, if these result in disciplinary sanctions, they are announced on the UEFA disciplinary website.

Portugal, Lisbon

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