UCL: Mbappe calls for Prestianni ban after alleged racist abuse in Lisbon clash
Kylian Mbappe has accused Gianluca Prestianni of racially abusing Vinicius Jr during Real Madrid’s 1-0 win over Benfica in the Champions League knockout play-offs.
The match at Estadio da Luz was halted for around 10 minutes in the second half after Vinicius reported alleged abuse to the referee. UEFA’s anti-racism protocol was activated before play resumed.
Mbappe details allegation
Speaking to Movistar+, Mbappe claimed he heard Prestianni direct racist language at his teammate.
“What I’ve seen is very clear: player number 25 has told Vini five times, ‘You’re a monkey,’” Mbappe said.
“We have to set an example for children. This is the Champions League, the competition I dreamed of as a child… and there are things we can’t accept. Because the world is watching us.”
Mbappe said the team briefly considered leaving the pitch in response to the incident.
“We thought about leaving, that’s why we left. Then several things happened and we came back. We stayed focused on the match and we won; but the match isn’t important today, there are more important things than football tonight.”
He added that he had told Vinicius: “‘Whatever you want to do, we’ll do it as a team.’ Because… we will never leave him alone.”
Mbappe demands disciplinary action
Mbappe said Prestianni did not apologise and suggested disciplinary action should follow.
“We can’t accept a player like that playing in the Champions League; he doesn’t deserve it. But we’ll see what happens. Let’s let UEFA make the decisions. It’s a serious case.”
Cameras captured Mbappe confronting Prestianni after play resumed. The France international confirmed he called the Benfica winger a racist, adding: “Look at his face… He doesn’t deserve to play in the best competition in Europe.”
Meanwhile, Prestianni has denied the allegation, according to Benfica manager Jose Mourinho, who said after the match that the player disputed the claim.
UEFA is expected to investigate the matter. Recall Vinicius has previously faced racist abuse during his career, but this is the first time he has accused an opposing player during a European fixture.
