By Kazeem Ajibola Shoyebo
UEFA has rejected SL Benfica’s appeal against the provisional suspension of Argentine forward Gianluca Prestianni, confirming that the player will remain barred from tonight’s UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid club while an investigation into alleged discriminatory conduct continues.
The decision was delivered by UEFA’s Appeals Body, which dismissed Benfica’s challenge and upheld the original ruling issued on 23 February 2026. As a result, Prestianni “remains provisionally suspended for the next UEFA club competition match for which he would otherwise be eligible,” according to the disciplinary decision.
The provisional ban stems from an ongoing disciplinary investigation into an incident during Benfica’s UEFA Champions League knockout play-off clash against Real Madrid CF involving Vinícius Júnior.
UEFA had earlier confirmed that its Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body imposed the interim suspension following the appointment of an ethics and disciplinary inspector to examine allegations of discriminatory behaviour under Article 14 of its regulations.
UEFA has not yet issued a final verdict on the alleged incident, and the provisional suspension does not represent a definitive finding of guilt.
Further disciplinary action, including additional suspension or exoneration, will depend on the conclusions of the investigation.
For now, however, UEFA’s rejection of Benfica’s appeal ensures that Prestianni remains sidelined from continental competition as one of the season’s most high-profile disciplinary cases continues to unfold.
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