Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni has received a provisional suspension from the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB), sidelining him for the upcoming Champions League playoff match against Real Madrid scheduled for Wednesday at the Bernabeu.

This decision follows controversies surrounding remarks directed at Madrid star Vinicius Junior after his decisive goal led to Benfica’s 1-0 loss during the initial match in Lisbon. The incident led Vinicius to report a supposed racial matter, resulting in a temporary halt of five minutes while the referee, Francois Letexier, executed protocols to address alleged racial abuse.

Comments from Prestianni could lead to a minimum 10-match suspension from UEFA.

TV footage captured Prestianni communicating with Vinicius while covering his mouth, which appeared to be referenced during a discussion with Letexier.

“Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts over their mouths to demonstrate how weak they are. But they have… the protection of others…” - Vinicius Junior after the game.

After the match, Jose Mourinho, the Benfica manager, faced backlash for comments made concerning the incident and received a red card, meaning he will also be absent for Wednesday’s match. Mourinho stated, “I told Vinicius Jr, when you score a goal like that you just celebrate and walk back… this club, the last thing that it is, is racist.”

Criticism followed from various football figures, including Vincent Kompany, who labeled Mourinho’s comments a significant error in leadership and questioned the historical struggles of black players in football.