Benfica Denounces ‘Defamation Campaign’ Against Prestianni Amid Racism Allegations

Benfica has publicly asserted that Gianluca Prestianni is the target of a “defamation campaign” following UEFA’s initiation of an inquiry into accusations of racial abuse directed at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr.

During the Champions League match on Tuesday, play was interrupted for ten minutes after Vinicius reported alleged racist remarks to referee Francois Letexier, leading him and his teammates to exit the pitch.

The Brazilian star, who has previously faced numerous racist incidents throughout his career, expressed his feelings on Instagram, stating: “Racists are, above all, cowards.” This incident may result in Prestianni facing a suspension of at least ten matches from European competitions if found guilty.

In response to the accusations, Prestianni has firmly denied making any racist comments towards Vinicius. On Wednesday, Benfica came to his defense through a statement on their official X account, which included footage of the purported incident. The club emphasized that the distance between the players made it unlikely for the Real Madrid squad to have heard any alleged remarks.

Benfica reiterated their complete belief in Prestianni’s account of the events, asserting that his actions while representing the club have always been characterized by respect for fellow players, institutions, and the values that define Benfica.

The club expressed regret over the negative publicity Prestianni has received, describing it as a defamation campaign against him.

Benfica’s head coach, Jose Mourinho, commented in a post-match interview that he received differing accounts of the situation from both Vinicius and Prestianni. Mourinho, who previously managed Real Madrid for 178 matches from 2010 to 2013, suggested that Vinicius had shown disrespect during his goal celebration, referencing the legendary striker Eusebio as evidence that Benfica does not embody racism.

In their statement, Benfica firmly reiterated their unwavering commitment to the principles of equality, respect, and inclusion, which are central to the club’s ethos and exemplified by Eusebio.

Mourinho’s and the club’s remarks have drawn criticism from various quarters, including the anti-discrimination organization Kick It Out. Chair Sanjay Bhandari remarked that both the club and the coach have fallen short in their response.

Bhandari stated, “It’s a natural inclination to want to believe your player, but the reality is they didn’t hear it. Only two people were involved in that interaction, and they are the only ones who could have perceived what was said.”

He further suggested that a more appropriate response from a club of Benfica’s stature would have been to commit to cooperating with the investigation, noting that the pattern of behavior following such discriminatory events often includes gaslighting.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino expressed his dismay over the incident, praising Letexier for activating the anti-racism protocol. Infantino stated, “There is absolutely no room for racism in our sport and in society – we need all relevant stakeholders to take action and hold those responsible accountable.” He reiterated his stance against racism, declaring, “No to racism, no to any form of discrimination!”