Every accused has the right, or should have, to a fair trial, with an accusation followed by a full defense. This is expected to occur in the investigation carried out by UEFA in the case in which star Vinicius Junior, 25, claims that Argentine Gianluca Prestianni, 20, called him a “monkey” during Benfica x Real Madrid in the Champions League, in Lisbon.
I avoid prejudgment and try to stick to the facts and what can be concluded based on the images and testimonies. What can be seen in photos is Prestianni, with his shirt covering his mouth, saying something in Vini’s direction. Video shows Vini running towards the referee to complain about this.
Vini, black, claims that the Portuguese team’s white striker called him “mono” (monkey, in Spanish). His Real colleague, Mbappé, black, with a World Cup win (2018) with France on his CV, says he heard Prestianni offend Vini five times with that word.
The match stopped for ten minutes, following UEFA protocol, the entity that governs football in Europe, for this type of situation. Why did it continue? Why didn’t Real leave the field in support of Vini? Vini himself didn’t want to. Giving up on a game can lead to sanctions for the club, as the decision to end it is up to the referee alone.
Post-game, Prestianni denied the racial insult. He declared that he had been misinterpreted and that Vini’s complaint had been exaggerated. The offense against the Brazilian would be “maricón” (sissy), and this would have already been registered by him in the investigation initiated by UEFA.
Assuming it was, it serves as a confession of guilt, as a homophobic offense is equally serious. It is an attack on a person’s dignity in one way or another. Only the focus changes: sexual orientation, not race. It does not in any way serve to soften the attitude.
Prestianni is in trouble, or should be. Both the punishment for racial and homophobic offenses is suspension, in the context of European competitions (as the incident occurred in a European tournament), for at least ten games.
There is an ongoing legal battle. Benfica defends its player: every footballer is a financial asset, and a conviction would be an immediate devaluation, perhaps not recoverable. When speaking of a “smear campaign”, the club is acting to preserve heritage. Real, on Vini’s side, which is their asset, wants Prestianni to be condemned.
The UEFA trial will take into account witnesses (there will be those who support Vini’s version and those who support Prestianni’s) and the images, which, in a cold analysis, do not allow for a conclusion. Audio would be needed, and there is none.
It is important to report that there is a precedent within UEFA’s jurisdiction – and that the aggressor lost.
In 2021, in a Europa League match (second interclub in importance on the continent), Finnish Glen Kamara, black, accused Czech Ondrej Kúdela, white, of calling him a “fucking monkey” in Glasgow Rangers x Slavia Prague. Note the amplification: monkeys are not enough, there has to be a complementary swear word. It’s intensified hatred.
Kúdela did not cover his mouth with his shirt, but with his hands, when addressing Kamara. He denied having said those words. He admitted an insult, but a generic one (“idiot”). The case was processed internally at UEFA for just over a month. The entity, based on statements and the context, suspended the Czech for ten matches.
Should it serve as a disciplinary parameter? Yes. Will it work? Not necessarily. In my opinion, the verdict will be political, as clear proof of the insult will not be presented. As Real Madrid has much more weight than Benfica, it is quite possible that Prestianni will take a hit of this proportion: ten games.
Considering that the conclusion is guilt, it is to be hoped that the case does not end in the sporting sphere. It’s not enough for a racist attitude.
I hope that Vini, a symbol of the fight against racism, goes further and prosecutes the Argentine in the civil and criminal spheres in Portugal, which is the competent forum as the episode took place in the country, where racism (and homophobia) is a crime that results in fines and even jail time.
It takes courage to take this step. Vini has so far shown himself to be courageous against the dehumanization of black people. Don’t back down and act to further expand your voice of protest.
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