Benfica winger suspended ahead of Real Madrid clash

Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni has been handed a provisional one-match suspension after Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior reported alleged racist abuse during last week’s Champions League encounter in Lisbon.

European football’s governing body, UEFA, confirmed on Monday that it had appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to investigate the incident. 

The provisional ban will apply while the investigation continues, with the possibility of further sanctions once proceedings are complete.

Vinicius told referee Francois Letexier that he had been racially abused by Prestianni during the first leg of their knockout phase play-off tie last Tuesday. 

The Brazil international alerted the official to the alleged incident in the second half, prompting a 10-minute stoppage as he and his teammates temporarily left the pitch.

The match had seen Vinicius score a superb goal to give Real Madrid a 1-0 advantage before being shown a yellow card for celebrating in front of the home supporters. 

Prestianni has denied racially abusing the 25-year-old, and Benfica have yet to comment further while the investigation is ongoing.

The two sides meet again for the second leg in the Spanish capital on Wednesday evening, with Real Madrid holding the aggregate lead. 

Prestianni’s suspension means he is set to miss the decisive fixture unless the provisional measure is lifted.

Benfica manager Jose Mourinho will also be absent after being sent off in the first leg.

Mourinho, who criticised Vinicius’ celebrations after the match, is suspended for the return game and will not speak to the media beforehand, though the club may make an assistant coach available instead.

Meanwhile, FC Barcelona have received FIFA approval to complete the signing of highly rated England U17 winger Ajay Tavares from Norwich City, bringing an end to a transfer saga that began in the final days of the January window. 

The 16-year-old had already agreed terms with the Catalan giants, but bureaucratic complications delayed the official announcement. 

With the necessary clearance now granted, Tavares has arrived in Barcelona to undergo a medical and sign his contract.

Tavares, who represents England at youth level and also holds a Portuguese passport, was able to complete the move thanks to his dual nationality, which allowed him to bypass post-Brexit restrictions on under-18 transfers to European Union clubs.