Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni denies 'ugly' racism claims
Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni says he had been punished "without evidence" following accusations that he racially abused Real Madrid forward Vinícius Junior.
Argentina and Benfica footballer Gianluca Prestianni believes he was sanctioned “without any evidence” in the alleged racist incident with Brazilian striker Vinícius Jr during a Champions League match in February.
The 20-year-old winger was accused of making a racist insult towards the Brazilian in February, while covering his mouth with his shirt. He allegedly called the Brazilian star, who is black, a "monkey."
The referee activated the anti-racist protocol and stopped the match for 10 minutes. The player was subsequently suspended for the second leg by UEFA, which opened an investigation.
Vinícius and other Real Madrid players, such as French star Kylian Mbappé, later denounced the alleged discrimination.
If UEFA finds he abused Vinícius then he will be banned for at least 10 matches.
Real Madrid progressed 3-1 on aggregate to reach the Champions League last 16.
Prestianni told domestic broadcaster Telefe that missing the second leg in Madrid "hurt a lot" and denied making the insult, stating he had been condemned "without any evidence."
"I was thinking about my father, my mother, my grandparents, about the fact that so many things were being said that don't reflect who I am and that didn't happen," he said in his first interview since the incident. "It's ugly and it hurts a lot."
He said he was "very grateful" to his club and his teammates for their internal support, and said that his coach, Jose Mourinho, was "a phenomenon," "the coolest" and "a great person."
Mourinho was criticised after seeming to imply that Vinícius provoked the alleged abuse with his goal celebration after scoring in the first leg.
The Benfica coach later clarified his position, assuring that if the accusations of racism were confirmed by the investigation, the Argentine would never play for him again.
Prestianni was called up by Argentina for the friendlies against Mauritania and Zambia played in the past week, though he did not get on the pitch.
"I work day in, day out to make this opportunity arrive," the winger said, adding that his greatest dream was to play in a World Cup with the Albiceleste.
– TIMES/AFP