Gianluca Prestianni, a 20-year-old Argentine midfielder, received a standing ovation from the Benfica fans when he was substituted in the defeat to Real Madrid, this Tuesday (17), at Estádio da Luz, in Lisbon.
Despite having played a lackluster match, Prestianni was involved in a controversy with the Brazilian Vinicius Jr., who after scoring .
Referee François Letexier even took action, but did not punish the Benfica player during the confusion. Vini received a yellow card due to his goal celebration.
Faced with the confusion, Benfica fans began to insult Vini in chorus, but without using racist words, according to the TNT Sports report. The fans cheered the Argentine as he left the field. Look:
🚨 𝗡𝗘𝗪: Prestianni is receiving a standing ovation by the Benfica stadium as he is taken off.
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX)
Understand the case
The match between Benfica and Real Madrid in the Champions League playoffs, this Tuesday (17), at Estádio da Luz, in Lisbon, was marked by yet another possible racist attack against Brazilian Vini Jr.
After the striker, he argued with the Argentines Otamendi and Prestianni and, shortly afterwards, ran towards referee François Letexier, who called.
Vini Jr.’s accusation, according to the images, is against Prestianni, a young Argentinean from the Portuguese team. The broadcast showed that the attacking midfielder covered his mouth with his shirt during a moment of the argument. Look:
RACISM PROTOCOL IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: VINI JR. HE WENT TO THE REFEREE AND APPOINTED TO ARGENTINO PRESTIANNI, FROM BENFICA. GAME PAUSED IN LISBON. 🚨
⚠️ Benfica x Real Madrid LIVE on and on ()!
— TNT Sports BR (@TNTSportsBR)
Vini Jr. receives card for celebration
In the confusion, before the anti-racism protocol was activated, the Brazilian received a yellow card, apparently for something he did during the goal celebration.
The Real Madrid players threatened to leave the pitch and went towards the bench. Faced with the confusion, Benfica fans began to insult Vini in chorus, but without using racist words, according to the TNT Sports report.
Coach of the Portuguese team, José Mourinho even had a heated conversation with Vini Jr., in his ear.
Mbappé was one of the players most affected by the case. Outraged by Vini’s accusation, he argued strongly with . About ten minutes later, the game resumed, with no card for Prestianni.
Understand the anti-racism protocol
There are three steps to the protocol. In the first, the referee observes or receives complaints from the players and decides whether or not to stop the match.
At that moment, the stadium screens broadcast a message reporting the incident, in addition to the referee’s gesture, with a warning that the match may be suspended if the problems do not cease.
If the attacks persist, the referee may cancel the game. Arbitrators have the power to analyze the situation and understand the scope of the facts before making a definitive decision.
Everything is reported in the summary, that is, the next steps are from the publication of the document.
