Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has challenged UEFA to demonstrate its commitment to combating racism extends beyond “just a slogan or a nice banner before matches” following the governing body’s decision to provisionally ban Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni for one game.
The 20-year-old Argentinian winger will miss Wednesday evening’s Champions League knockout phase play-off second leg in Madrid after being suspended pending a full investigation into allegations he racially abused Vinicius Junior during last week’s first leg in Lisbon.
Arbeloa stated at a Tuesday press conference: “We are facing a great opportunity to make a significant step forward in the fight against racism. UEFA has always been a strong advocate in the fight against racism, and now they have the opportunity not to leave it as just a slogan or a nice banner before matches. I hope they seize this opportunity.”
Prestianni has denied the allegations made by the Real Madrid forward, who scored the only goal in the 50th minute of the Lisbon match. UEFA confirmed further punishment could be handed out to the Benfica player following a full investigation by an ethics and disciplinary inspector.
Benfica president Rui Costa announced the club has appealed against the suspension, insisting Prestianni is “anything but racist.” Speaking to reporters at Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport en route to Madrid, Costa stated: “Prestianni is being crucified as a racist person, and I can guarantee that he is anything but racist, and that is why we have such confidence in him as a player.”
Costa added: “I’m not on the pitch to know what was said or not said but as you can imagine, in a situation like that, a lot is said. But we believe in our player’s word, because more than that, we know the players we have at home.”
Last week’s match was halted for 10 minutes after Vinicius alerted referee Francois Letexier to the incident, with his Real Madrid teammates temporarily leaving the pitch. There were also reports of racist gestures in the stands at Estadio da Luz.
Vinicius received a yellow card for celebrating in front of Benfica’s supporters after his goal. Benfica boss Jose Mourinho said after the game he believed the Brazil international acted disrespectfully and incited the crowd.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois defended his teammate, stating: “Mourinho is Mourinho and, as a coach, you defend your club and what your player has told you. What disappoints me is using Vini’s celebration. He didn’t do anything wrong. He celebrated as many opponents have done against us because when they score against us, the euphoria is double or triple.”
Courtois added: “It’s happened, and we need to move on. We cannot justify an alleged act of racism with a celebration.”
Arbeloa described Vinicius as a “fighter” and backed him to demonstrate he is among the world’s best players during the return match at Santiago Bernabeu. “Vini Junior has always shown great courage and character,” said Arbeloa. “Anyone in his situation, I don’t know how they would react. He has always done so bravely, showing tremendous personality.”
The Real Madrid coach continued: “That has always been his response, and it always will be because he is a fighter. Tomorrow he will come out to fight and play a great match, showing that he is one of the best players on the planet.”
The provisional ban means Prestianni cannot participate in Wednesday’s crucial second leg whilst the investigation continues. The ethics and disciplinary inspector’s full investigation will determine whether additional sanctions follow beyond the one-game suspension already imposed.
Benfica’s appeal against the provisional ban indicates the club’s determination to support their player, though the timing means the suspension will be in effect for the Madrid match regardless of the appeal’s outcome. The investigation’s findings will have implications beyond this individual case for how UEFA handles future allegations of racist abuse in its competitions.
