NYON, Switzerland (AP) 鈥� UEFA has rejected Benfica鈥檚 last-minute appeal against the provisional suspension of Gianluca Prestianni, meaning he remains ruled out of the Champions League playoff second leg against Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Prestianni was for one match following accusations he racially abused Vin铆cius J煤nior in .
The game was halted for nearly 10 minutes after the Madrid forward scored and then celebrated by the Benfica corner flag, upsetting local fans and players. After being confronted by Prestianni, Vin铆cius accused the Argentine player of calling him 鈥渕onkey.鈥�
Prestianni, who covered his mouth with his shirt while talking to Vin铆cius, has the Brazil star, who is Black.
UEFA said Wednesday, hours before the game was scheduled to begin, that its appeal body dismissed Benfica鈥檚 application against the suspension and that it confirmed the decision of its control, ethics and disciplinary body from Monday.
During the game, the anti-racism protocol was activated but no further action was taken as there had been no evidence against Prestianni.
Vin铆cius鈥� teammate Kylian Mbapp茅 said he heard Prestianni use the racial slur five times.
But Benfica has its player, claiming Madrid players who said they heard the insult were too far away. The Portuguese club said it welcomed UEFA鈥檚 investigation and that it 鈥渇ully supports and believes the version presented鈥� by Prestianni, 鈥渨hose conduct while with the club has always been guided by respect鈥� toward everyone.
Jos茅 Mourinho also backed Prestianni and criticized Vin铆cius for his celebration after the goal 鈥� for which the player was booked. The Benfica coach said something always happens in stadiums where Vin铆cius plays.
Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut it was wrong to use Vin铆cius鈥� celebration to justify the alleged act of racism.
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany was among those who also for attacking Vin铆cius after last week鈥檚 match.
Mourinho is suspended for the second leg because he was sent off late in the first leg for referee dissent. But he also traveled to Madrid with Prestianni, who trained with the rest of the team on Wednesday before UEFA rejected his club’s appeal.
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