Gianluca Prestianni has already provided testimony in UEFA’s investigation regarding his alleged racist remarks aimed at Vinícius Júnior during Real Madrid’s Champions League playoff match against Benfica this week, sources informed ESPN.
The governing body of European football is conducting an inquiry into the incident that occurred during the second half at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal, on Tuesday, following Vinícius’s goal, which was the only one of the match.
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The Madrid forward alleged that Prestianni racially insulted him while covering his face with his shirt, causing a 10-minute delay before the match resumed.
According to sources relaying information from ESPN’s Bruno Andrade, the 20-year-old Argentinian admitted to calling Vinícius the anti-gay slur “m——” in Spanish, instead of “mono,” which translates to monkey.
Right after the match, Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni mentioned on Spanish television that Prestianni had provided that explanation when questioned about the incident.
Madrid has submitted a dossier containing “all available evidence” to UEFA as part of the investigation.
Forward Kylian Mbappé provided a detailed account of what he witnessed and heard after the game, stating that he personally heard Prestianni racially abuse Vinícius five times.
“I heard it,” Mbappé stated. “There are Benfica players who also heard it.”
Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa called for Prestianni to be penalized in a news conference on Friday, expressing hope that this case could serve as a “turning point” in the battle against racist abuse within soccer.
Article 14 of UEFA’s disciplinary regulations indicates that the framework for punishing both racist and anti-gay abuse is identical.
“Any entity or individual subject to these regulations that insults the dignity of any person or group on any grounds, including skin color, race, religion, ethnic origin, gender, or sexual orientation, may face a suspension of at least ten matches or another appropriate sanction,” the regulations state.
