Kylian Mbappe, the prominent Real Madrid forward, has formally requested that the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) impose a ban on SL Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni. This significant appeal comes in the wake of alleged racial abuse directed at Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. during a high-stakes UEFA Champions League play-off match.
The controversy unfolded during the first leg of the play-off, where Vinicius Jr. had been instrumental, scoring the decisive goal that secured a narrow 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over Benfica. Television footage captured the moment Prestianni, an Argentine national, reportedly covered his mouth with his jersey and made a derogatory remark. Nearby Real Madrid players, fluent in Argentine Spanish, translated the comment for Vinicius Jr., confirming its racist nature. This incident occurred immediately after the 25-year-old Brazilian forward netted his goal in the 50th minute, igniting immediate tension on the pitch.
The contentious situation led to a heated exchange among players, prompting referee Francois Letexier to halt the match for 11 minutes. This suspension was enacted in adherence to the anti-racism regulations set forth by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).
Further video evidence revealed French forward Kylian Mbappe’s visible anger. He was seen confronting Prestianni, directly accusing him of making racist remarks. As the game resumed, both Real Madrid players, including Mbappe, faced taunts from sections of the Benfica supporters.
In a subsequent press conference, Mbappe confirmed that he had heard multiple racist comments from Prestianni, not only aimed at Vinicius Jr. but also at French midfielder Aurelian Tchouameni. The 27-year-old forward urged UEFA to consider barring the Argentine player from further participation in the UEFA Champions League.
“We cannot accept this,” Mbappe stated emphatically. “He is a player operating at a European level and should not exhibit such behavior. That player does not deserve to continue playing in the UEFA Champions League. This is my personal view, but I am not the decision-maker, so I do not know what steps will be taken next. UEFA absolutely must take measures against the racism that occurred today.”
The contentious issue between Vinicius Jr. and Prestianni continued to fuel animosity between both teams’ players and coaching staff throughout the match, resulting in several heated confrontations on the field. This escalating tension culminated in Benfica coach Jose Mourinho receiving two yellow cards in the 85th minute, leading to his dismissal from the touchline.
Real Madrid’s hard-fought 1-0 away victory in the first leg of the Round of 16 playoffs provides a significant advantage for the Spanish giants heading into the second leg. The decisive return fixture will be held at Real Madrid’s home ground, the Santiago Bernabeu, a match where Benfica will notably be without the direct leadership of their head coach, Jose Mourinho, on the sidelines.
