Gianluca Prestianni could yet come face to face with Vinicius Jr tomorrow night, even though the Benfica forward is suspended for the second leg of the Champions League play-off against Real Madrid.
European football’s governing body deemed the Argentine, who has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, should serve a suspension for the prima facie violation of Article 14 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations related to a discriminatory behaviour.
That rules out the possibility of Vinicius and Prestianni, who this morning travelled to Madrid with the rest of the Benfica squad, clashing on the field but 101greatgoals.com can reveal the pair may meet in the bowels of the Santiago Bernabeu.
UEFA has confirmed to us that Prestianni is able to go to the stadium tomorrow night and can even enter the Benfica dressing room. That opens up the possibility of bumping into Vinicius Jr, and his Real Madrid team-mates, in the tunnel area.
Prestianni is permitted to watch the match in the stand but can’t sit on the bench.
Prestianni plans remain a mystery
Benfica have yet to announce what Prestianni will do tomorrow night but his mere presence in the Spanish capital is a clear sign of their steadfast belief in his innocence.
That stance was reiterated this morning by Benfica president Rui Costa. Speaking ahead of the flight from Lisbon, he said: “Obviously we all talked. It is evident that it is a situation for everyone and it is evident that Prestianni is not racist because if he were he would not play for Benfica.
“Although it is a game situation, it is also a human situation. Benfica would never have racist players in its squad. Prestianni is not racist and if he were I would be the first to take action.”
Benfica are staying at the Intercontinental Hotel in Madrid and Prestianni was spotted getting off the team bus before darting inside earlier this afternoon. It was a low-key entrance although there was one shout of “racist” from the small crowd that had gathered outside.