UEFA are investigating explosive allegations levied against Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni that he used a racial slur towards Real Madrid ace Vinicius Junior during their Champions League clash.
According to ESPN, Prestianni admitted to using an anti-gay slur towards Vinicius rather than a racist insult.
The incident occurred in the second half at the Estadio da Luz on Tuesday night, shortly after Vinicius fired home the only goal of the game for Real Madrid.
Vinicius reacted angrily to comments from Prestianni, who had covered his face with his shirt. The Brazilian forward alerted the referee, prompting a 10-minute stoppage.
The Real Madrid forward initially accused the 20-year-old Argentine of racist abuse.
However, sources say Prestianni has since told UEFA investigators he used a homophobic slur in Spanish, not the word mono, meaning monkey.
The explanation was reportedly relayed to Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni immediately after the game.
Real Madrid have submitted what they describe as a full dossier of evidence to UEFA.
Forward Kylian Mbappe stated he heard racist abuse directed at his teammate on five separate occasions during the match, adding that some Benfica players were also aware of the comments.
Mbappe urged for serious punishment, and so too did head coach Alvaro Arbeloa, who wants UEFA to make the case a turning point in football’s battle against discrimination.
Under Article 14 of UEFA’s disciplinary regulations, sanctions for racist or homophobic abuse are identical, carrying a minimum 10-match suspension or equivalent ban.
Whether racist or homophobic, the intent from Pretianni is the same. It is to demean, to dehumanise, to wound.
Swapping one vile slur for another is not mitigation. It is not clarification. It is a confession.
So he’s not racist? Just homophobic? That’s hardly a defence. It paints the same ugly picture of a young professional who thinks hatred is acceptable, heat-of-the-moment behaviour.
At the elite level, ignorance is no shield. Football has moved on. Anyone who hasn’t shouldn’t be anywhere near it.