(FILES) SL Benfica wey Argentine winger #25 Gianluca Prestianni wave to fans as e dey leave the pitch during Portuguese league football match between Gil Vicente FC and SL Benfica for Cidade de Barcelos stadium for Barcelos for March 2, 2026. SL Benfica wey Argentine forward Gianluca Prestianni claim say e don punish am "without evidence" for April 1, 2026, after accusation say e make racist insult towards Real Madrid wey Brazilian player Vinicius Jr. (Photo by Miguel RIOPA / AFP)

Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni talk for Wednesday say e don punish am "without evidence" after accusation say e racially abuse Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior.

The 20-year-old Argentinian don accuse say e make racist insult towards the Brazilian for February, while e dey cover im mouth with im shirt.

The referee stop the match for 10 minutes and the player later suspend for the second leg by UEFA, wey open investigation.

If UEFA find out say e abuse Vinicius, then e go ban am for at least 10 matches.

Real Madrid progress 3-1 for aggregate to reach the Champions League last 16.

Prestianni tell Argentine broadcaster Telefe say missing the second leg for Madrid "hurt a lot" and deny say e make the insult.

"I dey think about my papa, my mama, my grandparents, about the fact say so many things dem dey talk no reflect who I be and no happen," e say for im first interview since the incident.

"Na ugly thing and e dey hurt a lot."

E say e dey "very grateful" to im club and im teammates for their internal support, and say im coach, Jose Mourinho, na "a phenomenon".

Mourinho don criticize after e seem to indicate say Vinicius provoke the alleged abuse with im goal celebration after e score for the first leg.

The Benfica coach later clarify im position, assure say if the accusation of racism confirm by the investigation, the Argentine go never play for im again.

Prestianni call up by Argentina for friendlies wey dem play for past week.

"I work day in, day out make this opportunity arrive," the winger say, add say im biggest dream na to play for World Cup with the Albiceleste.

AFP

Benfica player Prestianni denies racism allegation against Vinicius Jr

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