UEFA's 'racism' penalty decision announced
UEFA has handed a one-match ban to Benfica's Argentine footballer Gianluca Prestianni due to his "discriminatory" behavior toward Vinicius Junior.
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In a statement released by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), it was stated that Prestianni was given this penalty on the grounds that he engaged in "discriminatory" behavior toward an opposing player during the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 play-off tie against Real Madrid.
The 20-year-old Argentine player will be unable to play in the return leg, which will be held on Wednesday, February 25.
What happened?
Vinicius Junior, who scored the goal that put Real Madrid 1-0 ahead in the 50th minute of the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 play-off match, came to the sidelines after the goal, alleging that he had been subjected to racist behavior.
The Brazilian star claimed to the match's French referee, François Letexier, that Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni had made racist gestures toward him, causing the game to be paused for a while.
Real Madrid defeated Benfica 1-0 in the away match with a goal scored by Vinicius Junior in the 50th minute.