Gianluca Prestianni at risk of a 10-game suspension for alleged racist insults.

Gianluca Prestianni, the young winger of Benfica, is at the center of a media and sports storm following allegations of racist insults directed at Vinícius Júnior, forward for Real Madrid. The consequences could be severe, with a possible minimum suspension of 10 matches looming, in addition to a potential criminal complaint in Portugal, as warned by Lúcio Miguel Correia, a sports law expert.

“We are talking about sanctions that, given the seriousness of the situation, can range from a fine of thousands of euros to a temporary suspension that may exceed 10 matches,” stated Correia, a professor at the Universidade Lusíada de Lisboa, in remarks to the Lusa news agency. The incident occurred on Tuesday during the first leg of the Champions playoff, where Real Madrid triumphed 1-0. After scoring the only goal of the match, Vinícius Júnior was allegedly subjected to a racist insult by Prestianni, prompting French referee François Letexier to stop the game and activate the anti-racism protocol.

In Portugal, racial offenses, such as calling someone a ‘monkey’, are treated as a crime, which can lead the Public Prosecutor’s Office to initiate proceedings. Additionally, Vinícius Júnior has the option to file a complaint with the Portuguese authorities. Despite the serious accusations, Prestianni vehemently denied having made any insult, while Vinícius and other Real players confirmed the offense.

If the allegations are confirmed, Prestianni will not only face heavy fines but also labor and criminal consequences. “The behavior is unethical and there may be a disciplinary process from the club itself,” emphasized Correia. He stressed that “calling someone a ‘monkey’ or using expressions of a racist nature is a crime in Portugal,” highlighting the need for a careful and thorough investigation.

However, the lawyer made it clear that the application of sanctions requires “deeper, more substantial evidence.” The referee’s certainty about the truth of the words spoken and the identity of the author is crucial. “The referee must have unequivocal certainty that the words were spoken, who spoke them, and that they were of a racist nature, which, in my view, raises doubts because the athlete has come forward to deny it,” argued Correia.

He also added that “the mere report” from the Brazilian player is not enough, even if corroborated by teammates like Kylian Mbappé. The anti-racism protocol should only be applied if there are no doubts about the commission of the acts. The referee’s report will be the “key piece” for the process that UEFA will open, especially in situations where television footage may not be conclusive.

Vinícius Júnior’s on-field behavior, which has already sparked controversy in other matches, is also mentioned by Correia as a consideration in the analysis of the incident. “An athlete’s behavior cannot be excused. There are limits in high-performance sports, and their attitude can lead to situations of animosity, although this does not excuse [racism],” he concluded.

Benfica, for its part, reaffirmed its confidence in Prestianni’s version of events, considering the accusations to be part of a “defamation campaign.” The club announced that it will fully cooperate with UEFA, which has already appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to investigate the situation, with both athletes expected to be heard in the coming days. The tension is palpable, and the developments in this case could have a significant impact not only on Prestianni’s career but also in the fight against racism in sports.