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02/18 06:46 CST Benfica's Prestianni denies racially insulting Real Madrid's
Vincius in Champions League game
Benfica's Prestianni denies racially insulting Real Madrid's Vincius in
Champions League game
By TALES AZZONI
AP Sports Writer
MADRID (AP) --- Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni has denied racially
insulting Real Madrid forward Vincius Jnior during a Champions League match
when he covered his mouth with his jersey.
"I have never been racist with anyone and I regret the threats that I received
from Real Madrid players," the 20-year-old Argentina forward, who faces a
potential 10-match ban if found guilty of racial abuse in UEFA's disciplinary
code, said on X. The European soccer governing body said Wednesday it has
appointed a special investigator to gather evidence.
The Champions League playoff game at Benfica's Stadium of Light was halted for
nearly 10 minutes on Tuesday after the referee initiated the anti-racism
protocol, which is the standard procedure when a player alleges being abused.
Benfica showed support for Prestianni on Wednesday, with the Portuguese club
claiming that Madrid players who said they heard the insult were too far away.
Benfica fans had reacted angrily to Vincius celebrating his 50th-minute goal
by dancing by the corner flag, throwing bottles and other objects toward the
Madrid players. Prestianni then confronted Vincius and said something while
covering his mouth with his jersey.
Vincius said Prestianni racially insulted him during the game, which Madrid
won 1-0. Madrid hosts the second leg on Feb. 25 with the overall winner
advancing to the round of 16 in European club soccer's top competition.
After the match, Vincius posted a photo on Instagram of him celebrating by the
Benfica corner flag. He wrote: "Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to
cover their mouths with their shirts to show how they are weak. ... Nothing
that happened today is new to me in my life and in my family's life. I was
shown a yellow card for celebrating a goal. I still don't know why."
Madrid players said they considered leaving the field but eventually decided to
continue playing.
Benfica posted a video on X.
"As the images show, given the distance, the Real Madrid players couldn't have
heard what they have been saying that they heard," Benfica said.
The club had already posted Prestianni's statement along with the words:
"Together, by your side."
Prestianni defends himself Prestianni insisted that Vincius misunderstood what was said, while Benfica players after the match reportedly said the Argentine provoked the Brazil forward but never racially insulted him. "I want to clarify that at no time did I direct racist insults at the player Vincius Jnior, who unfortunately misinterpreted what he thought he had heard," Prestianni said. He did not say why he covered his mouth. The referee appeared to show that he did not hear anything and gestured that Prestianni had the shirt over his mouth. Vincius, who is Black and has been repeatedly subjected to racist abuse in Spain, went to the sideline and sat in the dugout while play was stopped. Prestianni was not shown a yellow card and continued playing. He was substituted in the 81st and was applauded by Benfica fans. Kylian Mbapp was among the Madrid players who strongly defended Vincius and posted on X: "Dance, Vini, and please never stop. They will never tell us what we have to do or not." The France great also said Prestianni should never play in the Champions League again.
Mourinho's reaction Cameras picked up Vincius telling French referee Franois Letexier that Prestianni called him a "monkey." Benfica coach Jos Mourinho criticized Vincius for celebrating by the Benfica flag. He spoke with both players and said he did not want to say he believed one over the other. Mourinho said he told Vincius that the greatest player in Benfica's history --- Eusbio --- was also Black, but seemed to question why the Madrid player was so frequently targeted by racist abuse. Some online videos on Wednesday appeared to show a few Benfica fans doing monkey gestures from the stands. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Prestianni defends himself Prestianni insisted that Vincius misunderstood what was said, while Benfica players after the match reportedly said the Argentine provoked the Brazil forward but never racially insulted him. "I want to clarify that at no time did I direct racist insults at the player Vincius Jnior, who unfortunately misinterpreted what he thought he had heard," Prestianni said. He did not say why he covered his mouth. The referee appeared to show that he did not hear anything and gestured that Prestianni had the shirt over his mouth. Vincius, who is Black and has been repeatedly subjected to racist abuse in Spain, went to the sideline and sat in the dugout while play was stopped. Prestianni was not shown a yellow card and continued playing. He was substituted in the 81st and was applauded by Benfica fans. Kylian Mbapp was among the Madrid players who strongly defended Vincius and posted on X: "Dance, Vini, and please never stop. They will never tell us what we have to do or not." The France great also said Prestianni should never play in the Champions League again.
Mourinho's reaction Cameras picked up Vincius telling French referee Franois Letexier that Prestianni called him a "monkey." Benfica coach Jos Mourinho criticized Vincius for celebrating by the Benfica flag. He spoke with both players and said he did not want to say he believed one over the other. Mourinho said he told Vincius that the greatest player in Benfica's history --- Eusbio --- was also Black, but seemed to question why the Madrid player was so frequently targeted by racist abuse. Some online videos on Wednesday appeared to show a few Benfica fans doing monkey gestures from the stands. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
