UEFA opens probe into Prestianni after Vinicius Jr racial slur allegation

UEFA has opened a disciplinary investigation into Benfica forward Gianluca Prestianni after allegations of racist behaviour during the first leg of the Champions League play-off against Real Madrid at the Estadio da Luz. The governing body appointed a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector to examine events following Vinicius Jr's goal, which sparked a lengthy delay as the Brazilian and team-mates confronted opponents and the referee.

Referee Francois Letexier activated UEFA's anti-racism protocol. Kylian Mbappe and others were visibly angry on the pitch. Mbappe said he heard Prestianni 'pull his jersey up to here to say that Vini is a monkey five times' and added that the player 'doesn't deserve to play this competition', arguing that the values of football must be defended.

Prestianni has denied the accusations on social media, saying he never directed racist insults and that Vinicius misunderstood what he heard.

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