Benfica Defend Gianluca Prestianni After Racism Allegation Ahead Of Real Madrid Clash

The president of Benfica, Rui Costa, has come out to support the suspended midfielder Gianluca Prestianni following allegations of racism that have cast a shadow over the club’s Champions League campaign.

Speaking in comments shared by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on 𝕏 on Tuesday, Costa dismissed the claims and stood firmly behind the young Argentine.

“Prestianni is being called a racist, but he is anything but racist. I can guarantee that,” Costa said.

The Benfica chief stopped short of delving into the specifics of the accusation but made it clear that the club’s hierarchy has full faith in the midfielder.

Naija News reports that UEFA confirmed on Monday that Prestianni would serve a one-match suspension, ruling him out of Benfica’s Champions League play-off second leg against Real Madrid.

The disciplinary action follows allegations that he racially abused Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior during the first leg in Portugal.

The decisive return fixture is set for Wednesday, February 25, at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti’s side holds a slender 1-0 aggregate advantage and is widely tipped to secure progression to the round of 16.

Benfica need to defeat Real Madrid 2-0 away from home to stand a chance of qualifying for the knockout phase of the Champions League campaign.