The case that the Benfica winger racially abused Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior during a playoff in the Champions League game causes UEFA to suspend Prestianni. The governing body in Europe stipulated a provisional one-match ban as the investigation goes on.
Gianluca Prestianni will be absent in the second leg against Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. Madrid Real have a 1-0 lead in the first leg in Lisbon. This however has now shifted to serious disciplinary concerns other than football.
According to UEFA, the suspension is granted only until further action. Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector is examining evidence and is yet to make his final decision. The controlling body also placed it evident that the sharing of more information will be done once the investigation is complete.
Real Madrid have already provided evidence to prove the claim made by Vinicius junior. On February 17, the game at Lisbon was halted 10 minutes when Vinicius reported about the supposed mistreatment. This is said to have happened soon after he had scored the winning goal. Video records indicated that Prestianni was talking to Vinicius with his mouth covered and this added more questions.
Vinicius has not experienced such racist abuse the first time. Brazilian forward has been targeted a number of times in the past few years. The problem has turned out to be a significant problem to European and Spanish football authorities.
In my view, the fast provisional action by UEFA sends a significant message. The accusations of racism cannot be hidden, particularly in the very top of the club football. Nonetheless, the due process is also crucial to allow fairness to the involved parties.
It is now the case of highly scrutinised return leg. On top of the outcome, the football community is looking forward to the ultimate decision made by UEFA. Once again, the case brings out the urgency of the need to take greater actions to curb discrimination within the sport.
