UEFA dismiss Benfica's appeal of Gianluca Prestianni ban ahead of Real Madrid clash

"Mr Gianluca Prestianni remains provisionally suspended for the next UEFA club competition match for which he would otherwise be eligible. UEFA said on Monday the imposition of a provisional suspension was without prejudice to any ruling that the UEFA disciplinary bodies may subsequently make following the conclusion of the ongoing investigation and its respective submission to the UEFA disciplinary bodies."

"UEFA appointed an ethics and disciplinary investigator (EDI) following the first leg, during which Vinícius alleged he was racially abused by Prestianni -- something the Benfica player denied. The Brazilian left the field and refused to return, resulting in a stoppage in play that lasted 10 minutes of last Tuesday's first leg in Lisbon."

UEFA imposed a provisional suspension on Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni following allegations that he racially abused Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior during the Champions League playoff first leg. Benfica appealed the suspension, but UEFA rejected the appeal on Wednesday afternoon. Prestianni remains provisionally suspended for Benfica's next UEFA club competition match. The incident occurred during the first leg in Lisbon when Vinícius left the field and refused to return after allegedly being racially abused. UEFA appointed an ethics and disciplinary investigator to conduct a full investigation, with the provisional suspension imposed without prejudice to any subsequent ruling by UEFA disciplinary bodies.

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