Ahmed Refaat

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.

The RFEF Competition Committee has handed down a significant punishment to Sevilla head coach Matias Almeyda following the chaotic scenes that unfolded during last Saturday's La Liga clash against Alaves. The Argentine tactician has been hit with a seven-game ban after being sent off and subsequently engaging in a heated confrontation with referee Galech Apezteguia. While the automatic suspension for the red card accounts for the start of the penalty, the committee decided to add a further six matches due to the gravity of the incidents that followed his dismissal.

Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy was the undisputed hero on the pitch during the 2-0 Champions League victory over Atalanta, but it was his actions after finding the back of the net that truly resonated. After enduring a frustrating dry spell earlier in the campaign, the Guinean international has hit a rich vein of form, netting six goals in his last four competitive outings. However, his latest strike was accompanied by a poignant tribute that revealed a deeply personal struggle behind the scenes.

Napoli are preparing to welcome back a familiar face to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. After a grueling period on the sidelines, Kevin De Bruyne is finally closing in on his return to Italy. The Belgian playmaker is expected to arrive in Naples on Sunday, coinciding with his team-mates' trip to Bergamo to face Atalanta. From Monday, the veteran midfielder is slated to report to the Castel Volturno training centre, marking the beginning of the crucial re-integration phase under the watchful eye of Antonio Conte.

Luis Diaz has hit the ground running since his blockbuster summer move to Bayern Munich, but the Colombian winger admits he has been blown away by the sheer quality of his new team-mates. After ending a successful stint at Liverpool to join the German giants for a reported €70 million, Diaz has quickly integrated into a frightening attacking unit that features England captain Harry Kane and French sensation Michael Olise.

Jhon Duran’s career continues to be a whirlwind of goals and controversy, with his latest chapter in Russia starting in explosive fashion. The former Aston Villa striker, who recently completed a loan move to Zenit St Petersburg, found himself in the referee's notebook just five minutes into his debut for the club. It was a baptism of fire for the Colombian international, whose reputation for high-intensity play and occasional loss of discipline preceded him to his new surroundings. The 22-year-old was named in the starting XI for a pre-season friendly against Shanghai Port, a match intended to integrate him into the squad. However, the "friendly" nature of the contest was quickly forgotten when Duran became embroiled in a physical altercation with an opposition defender while chasing a long ball. The forward appeared to lose his composure during a battle for possession, leading to a confrontation that left spectators and officials stunned by its intensity so early in the game.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has broken his silence following a wave of criticism on social media after a video emerged of him refusing to sign an autograph for a supporter outside the Emirates Stadium. The incident took place as the Spaniard was in his car following the Gunners' victory over Wigan Athletic and he has taken the chance to tell his side of the story.

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.

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.