UEFA has suspended Gianluca Prestianni of Benfica as a result of serious allegations of racist behavior directed at Real Madrid's star player, Vinicius Junior, during their recent Champions League duel. The accusations stem from an incident in the first leg of their knockout tie, where Prestianni allegedly used a racial slur against Vinicius, leading to a temporary suspension of the match as complaints were raised with the referee. This has set the stage for a heightened level of scrutiny within the sport regarding racism and the conduct of players on the field.

The controversy unfolded after Vinicius Junior celebrated a goal in front of Benfica supporters, prompting Prestianni to allegedly retaliate with a racial insult, specifically the term