Real Madrid and Benfica will try to secure a place in the round of 16 of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League when they face off in the second leg of the play-offs at the Bernabeu on Thursday.
Los Blancos took a narrow 1-0 lead in the first leg in Lisbon, in a match further marred by an alleged racist incident involving goalscorer Vinicius Junior and Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni.
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Vinicius produced a brilliant strike to give Real the advantage before celebrating in front of the opposition fans, an act that earned him a booking. Moments later he got into an argument with Prestianni, who covered his mouth with his shirt before allegedly using a racial slur at the Brazilian.
This prompted the referee to stop the match for almost ten minutes while he activated the anti-racism protocol, but no further action was taken during the match as there was no evidence against Prestianni.
Prestianni has denied making a racially offensive comment, saying: «I have never been racist towards anyone, and I regret the threats I have received from Real Madrid players.» Benfica backed his statement and showed support for Prestianni, with the Portuguese club claiming that Madrid players who said they heard the insult were too far away.
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Following the incident, an investigation was launched by UEFA, with Real sending «all available evidence» qaz4.
As a result, UEFA has provisionally suspended Prestianni for one match, meaning he will not be available for selection despite traveling to Madrid with the squad.
UEFA said the decision by its control, ethics and disciplinary body (CEDB) was linked to discriminatory behaviour.
“This is without prejudice to any rulings that UEFA disciplinary bodies may subsequently make following the conclusion of the ongoing investigation and its submission to UEFA disciplinary bodies,” the report said in a statement.
Benfica appealed the decision. However, UEFA’s appeal body said later on Wednesday that they had rejected the appeal.
Published on February 26, 2026
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