UEFA has provisionally suspended Benfica forward Gianluca Prestianni for the club’s upcoming Champions League second leg against Real Madrid, ruling him out of Wednesday’s match while a disciplinary review is conducted.
The decision follows an incident involving Prestianni and Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior during the first leg of the knockout-stage tie last week. UEFA has placed the Benfica player under provisional suspension pending the outcome of its disciplinary process. Specific details of the incident and the exact nature of the alleged offense have not been publicly disclosed by the governing body.
A provisional suspension is a measure UEFA can impose when it is examining potential misconduct that may fall under its disciplinary regulations. It allows the organization to prevent a player from taking part in matches while the case is under formal review. The measure does not represent a final verdict and can later be lifted, modified, or converted into a longer ban once UEFA’s disciplinary bodies reach a decision.
Prestianni’s absence removes an attacking option for Benfica as they prepare for the decisive second leg against Real Madrid. The Portuguese side will now have to adjust its plans and squad selection without the young forward available, relying instead on other members of the attacking unit to fill the gap in a high‑profile European fixture.
UEFA’s disciplinary process typically includes the collection of match reports, video footage, and any written submissions from the clubs or match officials. After reviewing the material, a disciplinary panel issues a ruling, which may include sanctions such as suspensions or fines. The timeline for a final decision regarding Prestianni has not been announced.
Neither Benfica nor Real Madrid’s detailed internal reactions to the provisional suspension have been made public in full, and UEFA has not released further information beyond confirmation of the temporary measure. Until the governing body issues a conclusive ruling, Prestianni will remain unavailable for Wednesday’s Champions League tie, and Benfica will proceed with preparations under the assumption that he cannot be selected for the match.
