UEFA rejects Benfica’s appeal against Prestianni ahead of the Champions League match against Real Madrid

UEFA on Wednesday rejected Benfica’s appeal to revoke Gianluca Prestianni’s suspension ahead of the side’s Champions League play-off against Real Madrid.

Real led 1–0 on aggregate after Vinicius scored a second-half winner in the first leg which was marred by a racism controversy involving the Brazilian, who claimed Prestianni had directed a racial slur at him.

UEFA provisionally suspended Prestianni for one match, but the Argentine winger traveled with the team after Benfica appealed the ban.

However, UEFA’s appeal body said later on Wednesday that they had rejected the appeal mnh4.

READ ALSO: Benfica’s Prestianni suspended for Real Madrid Champions League match due to alleged racism

“Mr Gianluca Prestianni remains provisionally suspended from the next UEFA club competition match for which he would otherwise be eligible,” UEFA said in a statement.

Benfica will also have to make do without head coach Jose Mourinho, who is suspended after receiving a red card in the first leg.

With input from Reuters

Published on February 25, 2026