Nyon, Switzerland – UEFA has provisionally suspended Argentinian Gianluca Brestiani, a player for Benfica, for one match following an incident with Real Madrid’s Brazilian star Vinicius Junior during their Champions League encounter.
The first leg of the Champions League playoff was marred by significant tension. This came after Vinicius accused the Argentine player of directing racist remarks at him following his goal against the Portuguese team.
The Brazilian star immediately approached the referee, who briefly halted the match and pointed to the anti-racism protocol. This incident sparked widespread reactions and sharp criticism.
UEFA explained that the decision was made by its Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body, following the appointment of an inspector to investigate allegations of discriminatory conduct. This occurred during a Champions League match played on February 17, 2026.
According to the official statement, the temporary suspension was due to what the federation described as a “preliminary violation of Article 14 of the Disciplinary Regulations,” which pertains to discriminatory conduct. The statement also emphasized that the decision is precautionary and does not affect any potential sanctions that may be issued later after the investigations are completed and the final report is submitted to the relevant disciplinary bodies.
The picture is expected to become fully clear in the coming period, in light of the results of the ongoing investigation.
