Benfica have said that Gianluca Prestianni is the victim of a "defamation campaign" while backing up the winger's claim that he did not racially abuse Vinicius Junior in Tuesday night's Champions League clash with Real Madrid. Vinicius alleged that Prestianni directed a racial slur at him after the Real Madrid star celebrated scoring the opening goal in the first leg of the knockout stage play-off tie.
UEFA has officially opened a disciplinary investigation into Benfica forward Gianluca Prestianni following allegations of racist behaviour during the first leg of their Champions League play-off clash against Real Madrid. The European governing body confirmed the appointment of an ethics and disciplinary inspector to look into the events at the Estadio da Luz, where Madrid secured a 1-0 victory. The flashpoint occurred shortly after Vinicius Jr found the net, leading to a significant delay as the Brazilian international and several team-mates confronted the opposition and the referee regarding a deeply offensive slur.
Thierry Henry has called on Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni to tell the truth about his altercation with Vinicius Junior during Tuesday's Champions League match against Real Madrid at the Estadio da Luz. Vinicius has alleged that Prestianni directed a racial slur at him during the game, which led to the match being halted for 10 minutes. Henry has now responded with an emotional speech regarding the continued prevalence of racism in football.
Did Gianluca Prestianni racially abuse Vinicius Junior at the Estadio da Luz on Tuesday night? We don't know. Not yet at least. And that's mainly because the Argentine very deliberately covered his mouth with his shirt as he exchanged words with Vinicius after being inexplicably enraged by the Brazilian celebrating his 50th-minute goal with a little dance in front of the corner flag.
The fiery Champions League encounter between Benfica and Real Madrid has sparked a war of words off the pitch, with former Los Blancos midfielder Wesley Sneijder leading the charge. The Dutch legend did not hold back in his assessment of Nicolas Otamendi’s behaviour during the clash at the Estádio da Luz, where the veteran defender was seen taunting Brazilian superstar Vinicius Junior following a heated exchange on the field.
The tension reached boiling point during a stoppage related to the competition's racism protocol, during which Otamendi chose to flex his ink in the face of the Real Madrid winger. The former Manchester City man pointed specifically to his tattoos commemorating Argentina's recent triumphs, including the 2022 World Cup, the Finalissima, and the Copa America, in an apparent attempt to pull rank over the young Brazilian regarding international honours.
Benfica fans have been spotted directing racist gestures at Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior during Tuesday's Champions League clash with Los Blancos. An ugly night at the Estadio da Luz also saw the match halted for 10 minutes after Vinicius Jr reported alleged racist abuse to the match referee after an altercation with Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni.
The fallout from a volatile Champions League knockout phase playoff clash between Benfica and Real Madrid has taken a dramatic turn, as the Portuguese giants have moved to publicly defend Gianluca Prestianni. The fallout from the match, which was marred by serious allegations of racism directed at Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior, has descended into a series of public statements and finger-pointing. After Prestianni initially denied the accusations, Benfica took to social media to offer an unwavering show of solidarity with their young Argentine midfielder.
Benfica boss Jose Mourinho has been accused of "justifying racism" following his comments on Vinicius Junior after Tuesday's Champions League between his side and Real Madrid. The game had to be halted for 10 minutes after the Brazil international alleged a racial slur had been directed at him by Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni after he had scored what turned out to be the winning goal.
Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior has issued a statement accusing Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni of directing a racial slur at him during Tuesday's clash between the two sides in the Champions League. Vinicius scored the winning goal early in the second half at the Estadio da Luz but the game was subsequently stopped for 10 minutes after the Brazil international reported alleged racist abuse to match referee Francois Letexier.
Jose Mourinho has sensationally claimed that Benfica 'cannot be a racist club' after Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior accused one of his players of abuse during Los Blancos' 1-0 win over the Portuguese side in the Champions League knockout play-offs. Instead, the former head coach of the Spanish club has claimed that the Brazilian international incited Tuesday night's chaos in Lisbon.
Vinicius Jr scored the only goal of an otherwise controversial fixture as Real Madrid beat Benfica 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League knockout play-off. The Brazilian forward's second-half strike was followed by a lengthy delay for an alleged racist remark from a Benfica player to Vinicius. Play continued, and Madrid held on for a crucial lead in the tie.
Real Madrid's Champions League play-off clash against Benfica descended into chaos after Vinicius Junior gave Los Blancos the lead in the first leg in Lisbon. The Brazilian winger fired in an unstoppable opener just five minutes into the second half, but his celebration sparked ugly scenes and a 10-minute delay ensued as the goal-scorer accused Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni of racism.
Real Madrid-owned Endrick, who is currently enjoying a loan spell at Ligue 1 side Lyon, is being tipped to seal a “very special” transfer to Manchester United. The Brazilian wonderkid has found the going tough at his parent club, amid fierce competition for places, and a permanent move away from Santiago Bernabeu is being speculated on for the summer of 2026.
Tottenham have been brutally informed that there is no chance of Harry Kane pulling on their famous lilywhite shirt again. The England captain severed career-long ties with Spurs in 2023 as the club’s all-time leading scorer and lifted his trophy curse in Germany with Bayern Munich. A return to the Premier League has been mooted, but Bobby Zamora has told GOAL why such a switch is unlikely to happen.
Jose Mourinho is preparing for an emotional reunion as his Benfica side host Real Madrid in a high-stakes Champions League play-off on Tuesday. With "The Special One" dominating the pre-match narrative, speculation is mounting over a potential return to the Santiago Bernabeu. Amidst the noise, the Portuguese manager has finally addressed the rumours and clarified the existence of a unique clause in his contract that has Europe’s elite on high alert.
Jude Bellingham has handed England a pre-World Cup selection headache, with it reported that the Real Madrid superstar’s hamstring injury is worse than first feared. It is being suggested that the 22-year-old midfielder will sit out the Three Lions’ final camp before Thomas Tuchel settles on his 26-man squad for a shot at global glory in North America this summer.
No one can create a siege mentality like Jose Mourinho. Benfica were almost universally written off when they welcomed Real Madrid to Estadio da Luz in the final round of league phase fixtures for this season's Champions League, having lost five of their first eight games, including a shocking 3-2 home defeat to Azerbaijani minnows Qarabag.
Jude Bellingham has revealed he would like to swap places with a surprise athlete, after being asked whose shoes he would like to step in from another sport. The Real Madrid star has become a Laureus Sport ambassador, and answered quickfire questions on Instagram, including naming the one footballer he feels simply does not get the credit he deserves.
Jose Mourinho is bracing for a backlash, warning that Real Madrid will be "dangerous" as they prepare to face his Benfica side in a high-stakes Champions League play-off. The Special One finds himself on the opposite side of the touchline, looking to inflict more misery on his former employers following a shock victory in the League phase. However, despite the magnitude of the occasion, the Portuguese tactician insists he is unfazed, citing his lifetime of experience in Europe's elite competition as the key to navigating the tie.
Wayne Rooney has outlined how Thomas Tuchel’s new England contract, which is due to take him through to the summer of 2028, will impact international stars such as Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden. The former Three Lions captain believes that the demanding German tactician is now less likely to make contentious decisions in his World Cup squad selection.
Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin is still processing the moment he became an unlikely Champions League hero. The Ukrainian shot-stopper opened up about the chaotic confusion in the dugout before his 98th-minute header secured a stunning 4-2 victory over Real Madrid, which earned a classy post-match gesture from Thibaut Courtois.
GOAL runs the rule over the British players earning a living away from their homeland, with plenty more stars deciding to leave their comfort zones in search of a better footballing life elsewhere. The Premier League is still obviously one of the world's most entertaining divisions and the Championship can prove fantastic for development, but there are more options out there.
Though the Premier League took a week off to allow for the FA Cup, there were still plenty of storylines to follow within England, while title races around the rest of Europe continue to take plenty of twists and turns.
Real Madrid talisman Vinicius Junior has opened up about his close personal ties with Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai, claiming that the Hungary international is begging for the chance to play in his new Nike boots. The Brazilian attacker says the Hungary international is one of many close friends in football, with Chelsea's Reece James among them.
Jose Mourinho’s shadow looms large over the Santiago Bernabeu years after his departure from Real Madrid. Rumours of a possible return to the Spanish side in the wake of Xabi Alonso's sacking gained steam after the Portuguese coach masterminded Benfica's incredible 4-2 win over his former player Alvaro Arbeloa and it turns out president Florentino Perez could bring him back to the club for free in the summer.
Real Madrid
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