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Benfica Defend Gianluca Prestianni After Racism Allegation.
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UEFA handed midfielder one match Champions League suspension.
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Benfica face uphill task against Real Madrid away.
The president of S.L. Benfica, Rui Costa, has defended suspended midfielder Gianluca Prestianni amid racism allegations that have clouded the club’s Champions League campaign.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Costa spoke in remarks shared by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on 𝕏 on Tuesday, where he rejected the accusations and reaffirmed the club’s support for the Argentine youngster.
“Prestianni is being called a racist, but he is anything but racist. I can guarantee that,” Costa said.
The Benfica president did not address the details of the allegation but stressed that the club’s leadership maintains full confidence in the player.
UEFA confirmed on Monday that Prestianni would serve a one match suspension, ruling him out of Benfica’s Champions League play off second leg against Real Madrid CF.
The sanction followed claims that he racially abused Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior during the first leg in Portugal.
The return fixture is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25, at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Madrid, managed by Carlo Ancelotti, hold a narrow 1-0 aggregate lead and are widely expected to progress to the round of 16.
Benfica must secure a 2-0 victory away from home to overturn the deficit and book a place in the knockout stage of the competition.
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