Vinicius Junior: Benfica deny reports winger Gianluca Prestianni admitted to racially abusing Real Madrid star during Champions League play-off

Portuguese media reports have suggested the Argentine winger Gianluca Prestianni admitted guilt to his Benfica team-mates over the alleged racial abuse towards Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior. But the club have moved to refute those claims, stating unequivocally that no such admission was made. Prestianni was suspended for the second leg of their Champions League play-off.

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Benfica have firmly rejected reports that their winger Gianluca Prestianni admitted to racially abusing Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior during the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off earlier this month, describing such claims as unfounded.

Sections of the Portuguese media had suggested that the 18-year-old Argentine, who has vehemently denied the allegation, confessed to his team-mates in the aftermath of the incident.

Benfica moved swiftly to contradict that account in a statement released on Thursday.

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The Portuguese club said: "Benfica categorically denies that player Prestianni communicated to the squad or the club’s management that he had uttered a racist insult against Real Madrid player Vinicius Junior.

"As has already been made public, the player apologised to his team-mates for the incident that occurred during the match against Real Madrid, regretting its magnitude and consequences and assuring everyone, as he has done from the very beginning, that he is not racist."

The controversy stems from the first leg of the Champions League play-off between the two sides at the Estadio da Luz on February 17, during which Vinicius alleged he was subjected to racist abuse.

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The Brazilian left the pitch and initially refused to continue, prompting a 10-minute stoppage to the match.

Prestianni was provisionally suspended for the return fixture by UEFA, which Real Madrid won on Wednesday, with Vinicius sealing the victory at the Bernabeu in the second half.

The episode has also drawn scrutiny towards Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho, who faced criticism for remarks that appeared to suggest Vinicius had contributed to the reaction against him through his goal celebration.

Mourinho was asked if the player had incited the crowd with his dance in front of the home fans by the corner flag.

He said: "Yes. I believe so. It should be the crazy moment of the game, an amazing goal.

"Unfortunately [he was] not just happy to score that astonishing goal. When you score a goal like that, you celebrate in a respectful way."

Clarifying what he said to Vinicius during the stoppage in play, Mourinho added: "I told [Vinicius], when you score a goal like that you just celebrate and walk back.

"When he was arguing about racism, I told him the biggest person in the history of this club [Eusebio] was Black.

"This club, the last thing that it is, is racist. If in his mind there was something in relation to that, this is Benfica.

"They [Vinicius and Prestianni] told me different things. But I don't believe in one or another. I want to be independent."

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"A stadium where Vinicius plays, something happens, always," Mourinho added - comments that were widely viewed as ill-judged given the seriousness of the allegation.

In Wednesday's second leg, with Mourinho serving a touchline suspension, Benfica had drawn level in the tie early on when Rafa Silva forced the ball home from close range after 14 minutes, but Aurelien Tchouameni responded in emphatic fashion, sweeping in a superb strike from the edge of the area.

Vinicius stepped up to settle the contest 10 minutes from time, extinguishing Benfica's hopes and confirming Madrid's safe passage to the next round, where they will face either Manchester City or Spoting following Friday's draw, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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